WATCH: Pope Leo XIV Offers Message of Hope and Blessing to SEEK 2026 Participants
- Denver Catholic Staff
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
As tens of thousands of Catholics gathered for SEEK 2026 across Denver, Columbus and Fort Worth, they were united not only by worship and fellowship, but by a special message from the Successor of Peter himself.
In a recorded video address shared with conference attendees, Pope Leo XIV offered words of encouragement, prayer and hope to the participants taking part in the national conference hosted by FOCUS. The Holy Father’s message resonated deeply with the conference’s theme, To the Heights, inviting young people and families alike to reflect on the deepest longings of the human heart.
Drawing from the Gospel of John, Pope Leo XIV centered his message on Jesus’ first question to the disciples: “What do you seek?” He reminded attendees that this question is not confined to Scripture, but is addressed personally to every believer.
“What do you seek? Jesus asked the disciples this question. Today Jesus directs the same question to each one of you,” the pope said. “Dear young people, what do you seek? Why are you here at this conference? Perhaps your hearts are also restless, searching for meaning and fulfillment and for direction in your lives.”
In a world often marked by distraction, anxiety and endless striving, the Holy Father pointed SEEK participants toward the true source of peace. He emphasized that the deepest desires of the human heart cannot be satisfied by ideas, achievements or success alone, but by an encounter with a living Person.
“The answer is found in a person,” Pope Leo XIV continued. “The Lord Jesus alone brings us true peace and joy and fulfills every one of our deepest desires.”
SEEK 2026, which runs from January 1 to 5, brings together students, young adults, families, parish leaders, clergy and missionaries for days marked by prayer, learning and fellowship. Through keynote addresses, workshops, daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, participants are invited to encounter Christ and be renewed in their call to joyful mission.
The conference’s theme, To the Heights, is inspired by St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, whose life continues to challenge Catholics to live holiness with courage, generosity and joy. Pope Leo XIV’s message echoed that call, reminding participants that restlessness itself can be a gift when it leads the heart toward Christ.
“Our hearts will truly find rest in the One whom we are seeking,” the pope said as he concluded his address.
Entrusting all those gathered to the maternal care of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Leo XIV invoked his blessing upon SEEK participants and their families: “I gladly invoke upon all of you and upon your families the Divine Blessings of this Christmas season.”
As SEEK 2026 unfolds across three cities, the Holy Father’s message stands as a reminder that the journey “to the heights” begins — and ends — in a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
