On what occasion did Pope Leo XIV visit Assisi?

The Pope visited Assisi on August 6, 2026, for the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis, during the final day of the Franciscan youth gathering "GO!".

How many young people welcomed the Pope in Assisi?

According to HRT's report, more than 2,000 young people from all over Europe welcomed the Pope in Assisi.

What message did the Pope convey to the youth?

Pope Leo XIV urged the youth to reject the culture of power and build a civilization of love, highlighting Saint Francis as an example of Gospel radicalization that stands in opposition to fundamentalism.

Were there Croatian pilgrims at the meeting with the Pope?

Yes, there were many Croats from the Franciscan Youth in Assisi, and some of them, such as Ivan Feranović, Viktor Marjanović, and Lucija Hovan, shared their impressions with HRT.

World

Pope Leo XIV in Assisi: Reject the Culture of Power

A.D. · Prije 2h | 2 min

More than 2,000 young people from across Europe, including numerous Croats, welcomed the Holy Father at the conclusion of the Franciscan youth gathering.

Summary

Pope Leo XIV visited Assisi on August 6, 2026, for the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis.
More than 2,000 young people from Europe, including numerous Croats, took part in the Franciscan youth gathering "GO!".
The Holy Father called on the youth to reject the 'culture of power' and build a 'civilization of love'.
Croatian pilgrims highlighted Assisi as a symbol of peace and humility, and Saint Francis as a source of life inspiration.

Pope Leo XIV met with thousands of young Europeans in Assisi on Thursday, August 6, 2026, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. In an atmosphere of celebration and prayer, more than 2,000 participants of the final day of the Franciscan youth gathering "GO!" welcomed the Holy Father in the birthplace of this saint.

A Call for a "Civilization of Love"

Addressing those gathered, Pope Leo XIV urged the new generations to become "artisans of peace." His central message was clear: it is necessary to reject the culture of power and build a civilization of love.

"Rejecting the culture of power and building a civilization of love-these are choices that are not always recognized and accepted. Saint Francis, however, teaches us that the radicalization of the Gospel stands in opposition to fundamentalism," Pope Leo XIV said.

Croatian Pilgrims Share Their Impressions

Among the thousands of young people who arrived from all over Europe, there were also many Croats from the Franciscan Youth in Assisi. For many of them, coming to this city held special significance.

"I was drawn by the fact that this is the city of Saint Francis, who is a symbol of peace and humility," said pilgrim Ivan Feranović. His compatriot Viktor Marjanović highlighted Saint Francis as a great personal role model. "From his life, I draw great inspiration for my own, and I try to apply it in my daily life," Marjanović emphasized.

Lucija Hovan described the special atmosphere of the gathering. "The atmosphere is genuine, youthful. Why? Because there is a lot of singing, a lot of prayer, a lot of togetherness, hugs, and it's truly beautiful, that mix of different ages. Among us, there are those 30 and over, and children-the children have won me over, there are so many of them," Hovan said.