From 28 July to 3 August 2025, Cordaid took part in the Jubilee of Youth in Rome through the Caritas Internationalis Youth Delegation. Represented by 21 young leaders from around the world, the week brought together young voices to strengthen solidarity, deepen faith, and engage in collective action for justice and peace. Cordaid was represented by Teodora Nguen, Security & Justice Expert.
The Jubilee is a special year of renewal in the Catholic Church, inviting people to deepen their faith, seek reconciliation, and act for justice. The Jubilee of Youth, part of the wider Jubilee 2025 celebrations convened by the Vatican, calls on young people, especially, to become pilgrims of hope, living out compassion and solidarity in a world marked by crisis and inequality.
A central moment of the Jubilee was the closing Mass with Pope Leo at Tor Vergata, attended by over a million young people. His message — “Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less.” — deeply resonated with our delegation. Pope Leo invited young people to become pilgrims of hope, seeking justice through friendship, service, and a life rooted in love.
“Being part of the Jubilee of Youth reminded me why it matters to belong to a global movement like Caritas, rooted in faith, driven by justice, and united across borders. Taking part in the prayer for peace in the DRC was especially meaningful to me, as it reflects the values I stand for in my advocacy work: solidarity, dignity, and justice in places where peace is most at risk. This experience reaffirmed my role to serve — to connect local voices to global action, and to walk alongside others in the pursuit of a more just world.” — Teodora Nguen, Security & Justice Expert, Cordaid
“Being part of the Jubilee of Youth reminded me why it matters to belong to a global movement like Caritas, rooted in faith, driven by justice, and united across borders.
At Cordaid, we believe in the transformative power of connecting local realities to international solidarity and action. Pope Leo’s appeal speaks to our daily efforts to strengthen local civil society, advocate for peaceful and just societies, and amplify unheard voices at every level.
Highlights from the week
- Delegates supported the “Turn Debt Into Hope” global campaign by collecting signatures and raising awareness among Jubilee pilgrims.
- Daily moments of spiritual reflection and prayer were held in some of Rome’s most iconic churches.
- A special Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Isao Kikuchi, President of Caritas Internationalis and Archbishop of Tokyo, bringing together youth from Caritas member organisations.
- The group volunteered at the Caritas Rome soup kitchen, spending an evening serving meals while engaging in heartfelt exchanges with those experiencing hardship — a moment described by many as the most moving experience of the week.
- Informal meetings with Caritas staff and international youth leaders allowed for reflection on the role of young people in peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and social justice.
- Delegates shared messages of hope and unity. A special prayer for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo was recorded in solidarity with those affected by the recent attack on the Catholic Church in Komanda, Ituri.
Cordaid’s role in the Caritas family
As a member of Caritas Internationalis, Cordaid brings a strong peace and justice perspective to the global Caritas confederation. Our work in fragile and conflict-affected settings reflects a shared commitment to act on the principles of solidarity, dignity, and social justice — not only through humanitarian response, but also through systemic change driven by advocacy.
Cordaid plays a key role in connecting grassroots voices to national, regional, and international platforms, ensuring that the lived realities of youth, civil society, and conflict-affected communities inform policies that shape their futures. This ability to work across levels is reinforced by the strategic leverage gained through long-term programmes — such as Just Future — which generate trusted relationships, deep contextual knowledge, and evidence to influence broader systems of power.
By combining faith-based values with policy and advocacy engagement, Cordaid helps strengthen the collective impact of the Caritas confederation and contributes to shaping more just and inclusive societies worldwide.
A collective mission forward
The Jubilee of Youth reaffirmed the power of youth leadership and faith in action. The compassion and courage of young delegates reminded us that peace and justice require both hope and commitment. As we return to our work at Cordaid, we carry renewed purpose — to stand with the most vulnerable, amplify unheard voices, and pursue transformative change together.
Support the global call to action by signing the “Turn Debt Into Hope” campaign:
https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org