In August, we celebrated the Jubilee of Youth in Tor Vergata (in Rome) with Pope Leo XIV. We discovered some amazing stories there, and we want to share them with you now. Here’s what Gaby has to say:

My name is Gaby. I’m 26 years old, and I live in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. I studied pedagogy. I decided to come to the Jubilee of Youth as a group leader because of the way World Youth Day in Poland impacted me. It was an experience that changed me on a deep level and brought me much closer to God.

We wanted to start preparing for the grace of the Jubilee with a volunteer project. After several attempts, we found a nursing home in Italy. I was amazed that we were able to connect with people from 70 to 100 years old, even without speaking the same language.

If I had to sum up that volunteer work, and the whole Jubilee, in one word, it would be kindness. I was struck by people’s kindness at every turn. Humanity is immense, and even though we young people want to be independent (which I think is also valuable), with time you discover that we’re not made to live in isolation.

No matter how old we are, I think we all need to learn how to live with and take care of others. From my professional vocation as an educator, I’m excited to help guide people along that path. For me, it’s a very practical way to sow hope.