WASHINGTON D.C., – The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) is deeply honored by today’s announcement that Pope Leo XIV will encounter the youth of the United States through a real-time digital encounter at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) general session on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:15am ET.

The Holy Father is expected to address the up to 15,000 registered young people ages 14-18 from Catholic youth movements across the United States and engage directly with them during a 45-minute live dialogue. This historic moment will mark a powerful opportunity for young people to witness the Universal Church’s care and concern for their voices, experiences, and hopes.

“We are humbled and thrilled to welcome the Holy Father to NCYC,” said Christina Lamas, Executive Director of NFCYM. “His presence is a profound reminder that young people are at the heart of the Church and that their voices matter.”

The Holy Father’s participation in this event will be inspirational. It will build on the hope-filled encounters with millions of young people both online through the first-ever Digital Influencers Jubilee, and in person at the recent Jubilee for Youth in Rome. Entrusting this event to the Blessed Mother, the news of the Digital Encounter was announced on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15.

“Even in a globalized world, the Church can seem far away for young people. The Holy Father’s choice to encounter the American Youth in this way is an expression of his closeness to Catholic youth, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Pope Francis who called the youth the ‘now of God’,” said Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, who serves as Archbishop of Philadelphia as well as Episcopal Advisor and board member for NFCYM.

A select number of young people will be chosen to directly converse with Pope Leo during the session. Details about the selection process will be shared in the coming weeks.

 EWTN, the Global Catholic Network, will be the exclusive broadcast and livestream media partner for NCYC and the live session with Pope Leo XIV. This first-ever partnership is one of many EWTN is taking to reach Catholic Youth.

2025 NCYC will gather thousands of Catholic young people, ministry leaders, clergy, and volunteers from across the country for three days of prayer, formation, community, and celebration in Indianapolis. The Holy Father’s virtual participation will add a deeply personal and spiritual dimension to an already powerful experience of faith in action. 

For more information, visit nfcym.org. For media inquiries, please contact Natalie Ibarra, Communications Manager for NFCYM, at [email protected], and Kenneth A. Gavin, Chief Communications officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at [email protected].

Media Resources:

1. FAQ on Digital Encounter 
2. NCYC Website and Media Registration
3. Quotes from Episcopal and Media Partners

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About the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry  

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), Inc. (nfcym.org), a nonprofit organization, is a broad, nationally recognized leadership alliance for Catholic youth ministry. Its mission is to “support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ.”

About the National Catholic Youth Conference

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). NCYC began in 1983 as a regional conference. NCYC was merged into a national conference in 1991.

ABOUT EWTN

In its 45th year, EWTN is the largest Catholic media organization in the world. EWTN’s 11 global TV channels and numerous regional channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 435 million television households in more than 160 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 600 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; one of the most visited Catholic websites in the U.S.; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division.

Contact:

Natalie Ibarra, NFCYM
Communications Manager
[email protected]  

Kenneth A. Gavin, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Chief Communications Officer
[email protected]