NCYC

Pope Leo XIV speaks on Nov. 21, 2025, with close to16,000 Catholic youths gathered in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. The pontiff had a 45-minute live video encounter with the youths, which was moderated by Katie Prejean McGrady. (OSV News photo/Sean Gallagher, The Criterion)
(OSV)

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) was held in Indianapolis from Nov. 20-22. David Stagliano, Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Office for Discipleship Formation, said 11 parish/school groups from the Diocese of Albany participated, with a total of 160 people (49 adults and 111 youth). After everyone arrived on Nov. 20, the group celebrated a liturgy at their hotel with Father James Ebert presiding.

The highlight of the conference was the virtual visit on Nov. 21 by Pope Leo XIV who urged U.S. high school students to be “intentional” with their screen time, their prayer time and their involvement in a local parish.

“One of my own personal heroes, one of my favorite saints, is St. Augustine of Hippo,” the pope told the 16,000 young Catholics at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “He searched everywhere for happiness, but nothing satisfied him until he opened his heart to God. That is why he wrote, ‘You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.’ ”

With a livestream connection, Pope Leo spoke for close to an hour with participants and responded to questions from five high school students. Also on Nov. 21, the diocesan attendees had time for Eucharistic Adoration and the event concluded with a closing liturgy on Nov. 22.

“The young people and adults were able to attend many workshops and participate in works of service in the exhibit hall as well as meet speakers, musical artists and (representatives from) Catho­lic colleges and universities,” Stagliano said in an email. “Not to mention meeting the many religious sisters and brothers present and the 240 priests that were present to offer reconciliation.”

Note: To watch Pope Leo’s digital address, use this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHSWW-c-fHM.