By Geneviève Déziel, Youth Representative
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada sent a youth delegation to two important events in Rome this summer. Social media officer Sarah Kabrit; youth programs officer Lea Mannari; youth representative Geneviève Déziel; and youth ambassador Abel Marius Oulai attended the Caritas Youth Forum from July 24 to 26. Then, Sarah and Geneviève were part of the Caritas Internationalis contingent at the Jubilee of Youth from July 28 to August 3, 2025. Abel and Geneviève share their experiences in these Rome diaries. This second part is Geneviève’s account. For Abel’s, read Part 1.
Pope Francis believed that young people are a pillar of hope in the world. At the closing of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, he invited all young people to come together again for the upcoming Jubilee. Two years later, our new pope, Pope Leo XIV, warmly welcomed us in Rome this summer for the Jubilee of Youth, where I represented Caritas Internationalis, as a member of Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada (DPCC).
I was inspired by the young people from across the globe, actively engaged in their local Caritas movements and organizations, making the world a better place. In each of their regions―Africa; Asia; Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Middle East and North Africa; North America; and Oceana―the youth of Caritas do amazing work in advocacy, disaster response, conflict and displacement, providing access to resources, community-building, development, and so much more.
Rome: a reflection on His presence
My heart was pierced not only by the regions’ presentations, but also by the conversations I had with other participants. They made me realize how present and close Caritas is to the people everywhere. It is the same with God: He is not some random, faraway entity, but rather an intimate, personal and loving God to every one of His children. Caritas organizations and movements, like DPCC, are not just some big, stale institutions, but a living body that really loves and cares for the world. They are an inspiring invitation to all of us to labour and to love.
Rome: a declaration of hope
Even though we all came from different backgrounds and contexts, there was one powerful force that united us: hope. We kickstarted our time in Rome with the Caritas Youth Forum, centred around the theme, “Turn Hope into Action.” Our ultimate task at the forum was to write a Caritas Youth Declaration of Hope.
Being part of the small writing group gave me the privilege of experiencing this beautiful and synodal process up close. The final product was far from being the thoughts of the writing group. From beginning to end, many were steps taken and creative methods were used to capture and reflect the voices of all the participants, who were representing the global youth of Caritas. The collective effort shaped a declaration we can all stand for. Every word was discerned with care, and even the structure and flow of ideas were intentional. I can whole-heartedly say that I believe in this declaration. And it is all about hope.
This fuelled the rest of our mission in Rome, as every time we passed through the four Holy Doors, we stood in a circle and declared our hope. To me, this meant offering our hope to Jesus, who is present in his Church and is the source of my hope. “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
To love one another
Above all, this experience proved to me that the mission of Caritas is to love one another. Indeed, as members of Caritas, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus’s commandment: “that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). We weren’t just participants in the Jubilee—we were a working group, with a schedule to follow, shifts to cover, and tasks to complete.
Yet we carried it all out with joy, because each of us genuinely willed the good of the other. In other words, we showed up for each other and encouraged one another when we needed it the most. We came as strangers, but it did not remain that way. We became friends to know and be known; to love and be loved; “to make ourselves the neighbour of those farthest away,” as the Catechism puts it. By becoming friends and sharing life together during these two amazing and intense weeks, we could truly declare our hope as the community of Caritas Youth.
I am very grateful to DPCC and Caritas Internationalis for the opportunity to take part in the Jubilee of Youth in Rome and to journey as a pilgrim of hope alongside the incredible young people of Caritas. It was a blessing to build genuine connections with them and now call them friends. I return home to our national movement filled with renewed hope and deepened zeal for Christ’s mission.
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