What is essential for evangelization? What are the particular challenges? And what is to be done with young people's hunger for spirituality?

In a meeting with the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization, Pope Leo recognized that there is a "widespread religious indifference," but said that the gravity of the underlying danger of this is not always perceived: "that the very essence of what is most human – namely, the search for meaning – may be lost."

The crisis of faith "especially in Western countries," brings about a situation in which "the great existential questions remain unanswered, whilst a technological culture that is supposed to meet every need is spreading."

Yet, the Pope's address was ultimately hopeful: "the encounter with Christ is able to restore full meaning and value to people’s lives, and the Church rediscovers the enduring relevance of the mandate she has received from the risen Lord," he assured.

The Church cannot be replaced in this, her mission, which is "as urgent as it is necessary to ensure a reliable foundation for the future of humanity, so that it may be a future of peace, justice, freedom and fraternity."

The Holy Father noted that the world's bishops are still drawing from Pope Francis' document on sharing the Gospel, Evangelii gaudium, and he encouraged revisiting it.

He also pointed to the strong and growing demand for "spirituality," especially among youth.

"The new generation is not closed to the Gospel; on the contrary, many, when they rediscover it, wish to know it better, because they sense that within it lies the secret to being truly happy," he said.

What is essential in sharing the Gospel

In this context, he pointed out:

Evangelization does not rely on the efficiency of structures or on social relevance, nor even on the approval that may be received at any given moment. What remains essential is rather to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to follow the paths He shows to lead many people to Christ, to His Word that saves, to His love that renews life.

Evangelization from one generation to the next "has all but ceased" in some regions, he recognized, and this means new challenges.

Young people aren't grounded in the faith and thus have a spiritual "poverty" -- "a lack of motivation and of the means to develop, in full freedom, that commitment to the faith which gives meaning to life."

While he acknowledged that there are many Church groups listening to and engaging with young people, he pointed to a particular challenge:

The prevailing cultural climate in media-saturated and consumerist societies diminishes the capacity to learn with patience and to undertake, with effort, a personal quest for truth, with perseverance and a critical sense. Every message risks being perceived as just one opinion among many.

So then to transmit faith, there must be "people and communities who express the joy of the Christian faith and the coherence of a Gospel-inspired way of life."

Intellect to intellect

The "sanctity of life," he said, is the "most convincing expression of the beauty of Christian faith."

It is certainly not by watering down the content or softening the demands that Christianity can be made attractive, but by bearing witness with humility and courage to “the way, the truth and the life” that has converted and sanctified so many people. As Benedict XVI stated: “What we need at this moment in history are men who, through an enlightened and lived faith, make God credible in this world. […] We need people who keep their gaze fixed on God, learning true humanity from Him. We need people whose intellect is enlightened by the light of God and whose hearts God opens, so that their intellect may speak to the intellect of others and their hearts may open the hearts of others. Only through men who are touched by God can God return to men” (Benedict’s Europe in the Crisis of Cultures, Siena 2005, 63–64). The sanctity of life, therefore, remains the most convincing expression of the beauty of the Christian faith, which transcends the ages and speaks to every culture.

The Pope also called for special attention to those who join the Church and to young people receiving the sacrament of Confirmation, insisting, "The joyful service of the community in welcoming and accompanying catechumens cannot end with the celebration of the Sacrament."

"The subsequent task demands no less responsibility: namely, that of offering an environment in which the expectations that led them to adhere to Christ and His Church are fulfilled. [...] Such initiatives are made truly effective by the attention given to each of them personally, a reflection of the Lord’s unique and personal love."

The Holy Father concluded by entrusting them and their ministry to Mary, "perfect disciple and missionary of the Gospel."