Christus Vivit - Christ Is Alive - A Breakdown

Summary

Pope Francis's apostolic exhortation, *Christus Vivit* (Christ is Alive), addresses young people and the global community. Drawing on scripture and examples of young figures like David and Mary, he emphasizes that youth are vital to the Church today. Pope Francis encourages young people to spread God's message through social media, embrace their roots, and discern their vocations. He highlights the importance of change, inclusivity, and youth ministry, urging the Church to be energized by young people's passion. The Pope's message is one of hope, urging youth to live their faith actively and impact the world.

Takeaways

• 📜 Pope Francis wrote an apostolic exhortation called *Christus Vivit*, meaning 'Christ is Alive,' directed especially to young people.
• 📖 The Pope reflects on examples of young people in Scripture, such as David and Mary, showing how God has always called the young to be great leaders.
• 🧑‍🦱 Jesus is depicted as 'ever young,' embodying youthful energy, passion, and optimism, which the Pope says the Church must rekindle.
• ⛪ Pope Francis emphasizes that young people are not just the future of the Church, but the present, and the Church must change to reflect their vitality.
• 🌐 Social media is recognized by Pope Francis as a key platform for spreading God's message, though he stresses the importance of using it wisely.
• 💌 The core messages Pope Francis wants young people to understand are that God loves them, Christ saves them, and the Holy Spirit is alive and active today.
• 🔥 Youth are encouraged to be restless and proactive, taking steps to change the world, rather than settling for the status quo.
• 🌍 Pope Francis reminds young people to connect with global realities like poverty and war, not just focus on their immediate surroundings.
• 🧓 The wisdom of the elderly and the importance of heritage and family roots are essential for young people to grow with strength and confidence.
• 🚶‍♂️ The Pope calls for youth ministry to be inclusive, welcoming all young people, not just those already engaged with the Church, and to walk alongside them in their spiritual journey.

Q & A

What is the title of Pope Francis' letter, and what does it mean?

The title of Pope Francis' letter is *Christus Vivit*, which means 'Christ is alive'. It emphasizes that Christ is alive and actively working in the world today, especially through young people.

How does Pope Francis use biblical examples to convey his message to young people?

Pope Francis refers to figures like David from the Old Testament and Mary from the New Testament to show how God calls young people. David was chosen as a young person based on his heart, and Mary said 'yes' to God at a young age, setting an example of faith and courage.

What does Pope Francis say about the role of young people in the Church today?

Pope Francis states that young people are not just the future of the Church but are its present. He calls on them to be examples of faith and action, reflecting Christ’s energy, passion, and optimism.

How does Pope Francis suggest the Church should change, and what role do young people play in this?

Pope Francis acknowledges that the Church has become stagnant and old in some areas. He emphasizes that change will come through young people, who bring life, energy, and youth to the Church, reflecting the young Christ.

What role does social media play in the Pope's message to young people?

Pope Francis highlights social media as a platform for spreading God's message. He acknowledges its importance for young people today, while also cautioning them to stay safe and use it responsibly.

What are the three main messages Pope Francis wants to convey to young people?

The three main messages are: 1) You are loved by God, 2) Christ saves you, and 3) Christ is alive today. These messages form the core of the Good News that young people are called to share.

What does Pope Francis mean by saying young people should be 'restless'?

Pope Francis encourages young people to be 'restless,' meaning they should not be complacent. Instead, they should actively work to change the world around them, stepping out of their comfort zones to make a difference.

How does Pope Francis emphasize the importance of tradition and roots for young people?

Pope Francis reminds young people that they all come from somewhere, with their own history, culture, and family background. He stresses the importance of remembering these roots as a foundation for moving forward in life with strength and confidence.

What advice does Pope Francis give for youth ministry?

Pope Francis advises youth ministers to focus on bringing people together socially, without worrying about complex teachings at first. He emphasizes walking alongside young people, engaging with them where they are, and creating a ministry that is inclusive and of the people.

How does Pope Francis describe the process of discernment and vocation?

Pope Francis explains that discernment is about listening to God's call, which may be challenging. It's a process of figuring out one's vocation by listening to one's heart, conscience, and the people around them. Discernment involves thinking deeply about what brings happiness and contributes to the world.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Christ is Alive and Works Through Young People

Pope Francis introduces his apostolic exhortation *Christus Vivit*, emphasizing that Christ is alive today, particularly through young people. He draws examples from scripture, like David, chosen for his heart rather than appearance, and Mary, who was a young teenager when she said yes to God’s plan. Pope Francis encourages young people to become role models by embracing their faith, much like Timothy, whom Saint Paul mentored. This section highlights how God has consistently chosen young people throughout history to embody His message.

05:00

🕊️ Jesus as a Youthful Spirit and the Role of the Church

In Chapter 2, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus' youthful spirit. Though little is documented about Jesus' early years, His energy, passion, and optimism reflect a young spirit. The Pope critiques the Church for sometimes becoming stagnant or old and calls on young people to lead the change by bringing vibrancy and new life to the Church. He acknowledges the critical role that young people have in shaping the Church's future and urges them to be catalysts for transformation.

10:02

🌍 Young People Are the Present of the Church

Chapter 3 emphasizes that young people are not just the future of the Church but its present. Pope Francis encourages them to recognize the current reality of their lives, including social media's powerful role in connecting and spreading messages. He acknowledges both the positive potential and the dangers of the internet and advises young people to be vigilant about their online presence. Pope Francis also draws attention to global issues like poverty and war, urging young people to remain connected to these realities as they navigate their faith journey.

🎥 A Great Message for Young People

Chapter 4 focuses on the significance of messaging, particularly in the context of social media and technology. With billions of videos watched on platforms like YouTube, Pope Francis highlights the importance of spreading the 'good news.' He distills his message into three core points: God loves you, Christ saves you, and God is alive today. These truths form the foundation of the 'good news' that young people are encouraged to share with the world, aligning their social interactions with their faith.

🔥 The Restlessness and Mission of Youth

In Chapter 5, Pope Francis encourages young people to embrace a healthy restlessness, rejecting complacency. He challenges them to be active participants in transforming the world, stepping out of their comfort zones to be 'courageous missionaries.' The Church, he asserts, should always look outward, seeking to connect with those outside of traditional spaces. This section calls for young people to lead by example, taking bold steps to engage with the world and share their faith.

🌱 Young People with Roots

Chapter 6 reminds young people of the importance of remembering where they come from, their roots, culture, and heritage. Pope Francis underscores the value of learning from older generations and the elderly, as their wisdom provides guidance. He emphasizes family as a foundation for life, and even for those without traditional family structures, he advises finding connections that offer belonging. These roots give young people the strength to move forward with confidence and courage.

👫 Youth Ministry and Walking Together

Chapter 7 focuses on youth ministry, where Pope Francis outlines the importance of building communities through social engagement. He encourages youth ministers to foster relationships by meeting young people where they are, rather than expecting them to come fully formed into the Church. Pope Francis calls for inclusivity, ensuring that youth ministry isn’t exclusive or elitist, but rather open and approachable for all young people, especially those who challenge established norms.

🔔 Vocations: Discovering Your Calling

Chapter 8 delves into vocations, explaining that each person is called to fulfill a unique role in life, be it through family, priesthood, or other paths. Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of listening—both to oneself and to God—in order to discern this calling. He notes that work and service to others are integral parts of any vocation and encourages young people to find fulfillment by contributing to the greater good of the world.

🤔 Discernment: Finding the Right Path

In Chapter 9, Pope Francis pairs the idea of vocation with discernment, urging young people to take time to reflect deeply on their life choices. Discernment is about listening to one's heart and mind, understanding the signs, and recognizing where true happiness lies. By considering the impact of their decisions on both themselves and others, young people can better understand their vocation and how to live a meaningful life. Discernment, he explains, is a process that helps clarify one's purpose in the world.

🏃‍♂️ Keep Running Towards Christ

In his closing message, Pope Francis encourages young people to keep running the race of life with energy and passion, always moving towards Christ. He acknowledges the difficulties and uncertainties but urges them not to be discouraged by fear or hesitation. The Church, he says, needs the faith, intuition, and momentum of young people to move forward. He ends with a hopeful call for patience and perseverance in the face of challenges, reminding young people that their efforts are vital for the Church's continued growth and relevance.

Keywords

💡Apostolic Exhortation

An Apostolic Exhortation is a formal letter from the Pope to the whole Church, offering guidance on faith or morals. In the video, Pope Francis's letter 'Christus Vivek' serves as the central theme, emphasizing Christ's ongoing presence and work in the world, particularly through young people. This document is broken down in the video to explore its implications for youth.

💡Christus Vivek

The title of Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation, which translates to 'Christ is alive.' It signifies the belief that Christ continues to live and work in the world today, especially through young people, who are encouraged to reflect this living presence. The video discusses how this message is relevant to the experiences and potential of young people.

💡Synod

A Synod is a formal meeting of bishops in the Catholic Church to discuss and make decisions on church doctrine or administration. The video mentions that 'Christus Vivek' was written following a Synod, indicating that its content is a result of collective discussions and is intended to guide the Church's approach to youth engagement.

💡Scripture

Scripture refers to the sacred texts of the Christian Bible, which provide foundational narratives and teachings. The video uses examples from both the Old Testament (e.g., David) and the New Testament (e.g., Mary) to illustrate how young people have been significant in biblical narratives and can be models for contemporary youth.

💡Youth

Youth, in the context of the video, refers to young people as a vital and active part of the Church and society. The video emphasizes that youth are not just the future but the present of the Church, and Pope Francis calls on them to bring about change and reflect Christ's youthful spirit.

💡Vocation

Vocation, in a religious sense, refers to a calling or mission from God to perform a specific task or role in life. The video discusses how Pope Francis encourages young people to listen to their callings and to discern their paths, whether that be in family life, religious service, or other forms of contribution to society.

💡Discernment

Discernment is the process of carefully considering one's feelings, thoughts, and motivations to make a wise decision or to understand God's will. The video explains that discernment is crucial for young people to understand their vocation and to live out their calling in a way that serves others and reflects Christ.

💡Social Media

Social Media is a digital platform for sharing content and connecting with others. The video highlights Pope Francis's acknowledgment of social media as a modern tool for young people to spread God's message and engage with the world, while also cautioning about the need for safety and responsible use.

💡Restless

In the video, being 'restless' is used positively to describe a desire for change and action. Pope Francis encourages young people to be restless in their pursuit of justice and their efforts to improve the world, rather than being complacent or satisfied with the status quo.

💡Missionary

A missionary is someone who goes on a mission, typically to spread religious beliefs or to do humanitarian work. The video uses the term to describe Pope Francis's call for young people to be courageous in spreading their faith and serving those in need, embodying the Church's outreach to the world.

💡Roots

Roots symbolize heritage, history, and cultural identity. The video discusses the importance of young people understanding their roots to gain strength and direction for their future. Pope Francis emphasizes the value of learning from the wisdom of older generations and maintaining connections to family and tradition.

Highlights

Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, 'Christus Vivit,' emphasizes that Christ is alive and working today, especially through young people.

Pope Francis refers to examples from the Bible, such as David and Mary, to highlight how God has always called young people to be leaders and examples.

A key message in the exhortation is that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, reminding young people to focus on their inner selves.

The letter underscores that young people are not just the future of the Church but its present, emphasizing their immediate role and impact.

Pope Francis encourages the use of social media as a platform for spreading God's message, acknowledging its role in young people's lives.

One of the central messages is that God loves us, Christ saves us, and the Holy Spirit is alive today, providing a foundation for living the faith.

Young people are urged to be restless and courageous in transforming the world, not satisfied with the status quo.

The letter calls for the Church to look outward, encouraging young people to step out of their comfort zones and be 'courageous missionaries.'

Pope Francis highlights the importance of remembering one's roots, traditions, and heritage while moving forward in life.

The wisdom of the elderly and the value of family structures are presented as essential in guiding young people on their path.

In youth ministry, Pope Francis advises starting with social gatherings, just as Jesus did, and building relationships before delving into theology.

Youth ministry should be inclusive and accessible to all, not an exclusive club, echoing the Pope's call for a 'popular youth ministry.'

Pope Francis encourages young people to discern their vocation by listening to their hearts, their community, and God's call, understanding that vocation is about finding purpose in serving others.

The process of discernment is emphasized as key to finding one's vocation, urging young people to pause, reflect, and make thoughtful life choices.

Pope Francis concludes by urging young people to continue running their race, to be patient with those who lag behind, and to use their faith and energy to lead the Church into the future.

Transcripts

Pope Francis has written a letter to the

entire world and especially to young

people based on the fruits of the Synod

that was held and it's called an

apostolic exhortation the title Christos

Vivek and it basically means that Christ

is alive he's alive and working in the

world today specifically through and

with and for young people so we've come

down to London to film at the YouTube

studios to break open this letter

chapter by chapter verse by verse and

give you an idea about what it's all

about what it's saying and what we can

learn from it when Pope Francis starts

his letter he does something really cool

he goes back to the scriptures and looks

in the Hebrew Bible and the New

Testament to find young people who stood

out and show what God was all about

David an amazing example from the Old

Testament chosen as a young person and

when he's anointed those beautiful words

that God doesn't know call me outward

appearance but his dead looks on the

heart reminds us that actually being

young and being young people doesn't

matter who we are on the outside of what

we look like on the outside

it's about who we are on the inside

because that's what God seats but we've

got in our heart we've got to share

going forward into the New Testament of

course how can you not look at the

example of Mary

Pope Francis talks about Mary a few

times because of course she was a young

person 14 years old probably when she

just said yes when God has to do

something and that's an incredible thing

to think of her as a young person just

saying yes to what God wanted with their

life Pope Francis knows that by looking

at the examples in Scripture we can also

start to become examples ourselves what

about the saint paul writes to timothy a

young bishop and said don't let anyone

put you down because you were young

instead be an example to others with

your faith and your life that's what

we're called to do and that's what pope

francis starts by saying that she

throughout all of history god's always

called young people to be awesome and to

be an example of what he is about to the

chapter 2 is called Jesus ever young and

as a reminder that Jesus actually was a

young person himself now granted there's

not loads of stuff in scripture about

what happened when Jesus was growing up

when he was a teenager when I was young

at all

but we know that he was and actually his

spirit his attitude to life is one of a

young person of optimism of passion of

energy in the second chapter

Pope Francis acknowledges that actually

as a church maybe we've become a bit old

in places and a bit stayed in places and

a bit stuck in places one of the most

powerful lines is says that the church

concretely needs to change and that

change is going to brought about by

young people and by the life and youth

that they bring and about the young

Christ which they reflect chapter three

reminds us that you are the now of God

and it's basically a way of saying that

young people are not the future of the

church they are its present right now

and what we've got to do is remember and

realize the reality that we live in

right now we've got to understand what

it's all about and what other young

people across the world are experiencing

and figure out how we fit into all of

that one of the best parts of this

chapter and the reason we've come here

to the YouTube studios is because Pope

Francis says that social media is one of

the platforms in which we can start to

spread information to reach to the

people and to spread God's message in a

completely different way obviously he

talks about the fact that things might

not always be brilliant and on the

internet just like anywhere we've got to

figure out how we stay safe and make

sure that we do things right but what he

says is that this is a reality for young

people and that's why we've got to be

part of it he also says that they've got

to go a bit further than ourselves and

the lives we lead and think about the

reality for young people further and

across the world

realities like poverty or famine or war

that's happening for real people unless

we remind ourselves about connection to

that reality well then we're not being

part of them now chapter 4 is called a

great message for young people and

actually what better place than the

YouTube studios to be and to talk about

the messages that we share and give to

each other every single day five billion

videos a day are watched on YouTube

that's a lot of messages a lot of things

to say a lot of things to express

ourselves we send hundreds of thousands

of texts and in dm's and and snapchats

and stuff every single day to people all

with a message but actually Pope Francis

says there's one big message that's a

great one and it's for everybody the

first is that you are loved and that God

loves you simple as that

there's nothing more complicated than

that that God is love and when you

experienced of you experience God the

second is that Christ will save you and

that through Jesus through living our

lives like him through finding

forgiveness through him but actually we

can find eternal life through him and

that's pretty cool and the last part

that message the third Paes that he is

alive today

we don't worship or part of a church

days dead and still and static and

remembering something that happened

thousands of years ago God is alive

today and work in the Holy Spirit and

those three things I've got it loves as

a Christ who saves us and a spirit who

lives within us is the best message is

actually what they call the good news

and what we're called to share and Pope

Francis really wants us as young people

to understand what that means

and to be able to live it and share it

with other people chapter 5 talks about

the paths of youth how being a young

person means that we've got to move

forward and live it up Pope Francis says

that we should be a bit Restless not

satisfied with just same back and just

letting things be whoever should be

stepping up and changing the world

around us the author says then this is

really important that we can't start

kind of just walling ourself in and

saying actually do you know what we're

okay thanks we've got to start looking

outwards as a church we should always be

looking outwards if we're sat there at

the same parish mean every weekend it's

just the same people then what are we

doing wrong because actually we should

be going out rather than making what

we've got in even better and even more

secure and even more safe we should be

courageous missionaries that's what he

calls and that means being brave that

means reaching out speaking out and

going out to the people who needed the

most how do you think that's going to

look for you how are you gonna go out

how are you gonna leave the security of

the things that we put up to make

ourselves feel safe and instead go out

into a world that needs to hear your

message there needs to see your face and

that needs to feel your compassion

canvassing is called young people with

roots and it's a reminder that actually

we all come from somewhere we have

history and heritage and culture and you

can't move forward without remembering

where you come from and then we to hold

on to that need to hold on to our

traditions and the things that make us

who we are

Pope Francis tours particularly about

the opportunity that young people have

to learn from those who are older and

from the elderly particularly he talked

about the wisdom of the generations and

the importance of family backgrounds it

helped it as young people move forward

and be the people who want to be maybe

we're called to think

who we get our wisdom from AB McCord to

think about how we can work to build and

strengthen those family structures as

Pope Francis says it's a foundation for

everything for life going forward and

when we think about our roots and think

about where we come from it's what makes

us who we are and what enables us to

move forward with strength and courage

and confidence now obviously sometimes

young people I don't have access to

those kind of things to a structure or a

family or a home but actually it's about

finding the things that give you meaning

and the things that give you a sense of

belonging and if you can find them then

you can use them as a strength to move

forward

chapter 7 is all about youth ministry

and of course for us that's what we do

day in day out but Pope Francis has got

some really clear things to say about

when it comes to the church working with

young people and I think they're really

important first he says is that start by

just bringing people together don't

worry about the complicated stuff yet

just start by being social by being

friendly and finding opportunities to

meet and be together

think about how Jesus used to work he

didn't rock along to the lakeside and

start calling theology out to the

fisherman on the boats no he said come

hang out with me and then the rest will

take care of us we walk together and

that's the kind of other key theme that

Pope Francis really wants to talk about

that compliment the idea that we walk

alongside young people as youth

ministers it's not about us going we've

got all the answers and when you're cool

enough to get them you can come and hang

out it's about saying let's go to where

you're at whatever you believe whatever

you think and let us explore that

together let's walk side by side and

that differentiation that idea that we

shouldn't create youth ministries kind

of elite Club where it's only the same

few faces and it's only for the same few

people it's a real challenge to us

because it's easy hanging out with

people that think the same way we do and

believe the same things we do but

actually what we're called to do is the

opposite

and change and be with those people that

challenge our opinions and our beliefs

so for those in youth ministry at like

ourselves our challenge and response to

the Apostolic exhortation to go out

there and find the people who we need to

be talking to the people who aren't the

people who get as already the people who

aren't hanging out with us already he

calls for it to be a popular youth

ministry he doesn't mean by popular

trendy he means of the people like

that's what the word means we should be

youth ministers of the people not really

cool not hanging out over here not

having our own language and our own

culture and our own clubs but actually

in and of the people and that's a real

challenge but a really exciting one

nonetheless Pope Francis finishes the

letter with two chapters chapter eight

in Chapter nine the first being on the

vocation and the last being on

discernment and they kind of work hand

in hand that is why we're doing the two

chapters together

so the first vocation comes from the

Latin word vocare or means to call the

idea that all of his actually called to

do something and be something in Forli

now in the lair it says that actually

finding that is quite difficult figuring

out what we want to do with our lives

and the kind of people want to be is a

really big challenge but that's okay and

there are a few things we need to do to

make that work but first to listen

listen to the people around us listen to

our hearts and our conscience and listen

to what God might be calling us to be

and that vocation might not be an

obvious one because Pope Francis talks

very much about how we're all called to

love and to be holy how he might be

called to have a family or have children

we might be called to be a priest or a

member of religious community but most

importantly we're all called to do

something

Pope Francis talks about the importance

of work and actually doing work and

doing something not necessary just for

our own good but for the good of the

world and to contribute to the world

so maybe just think about the things

that you're called to do and the things

that you love doing and you'll start to

hear what you're actually being called

in terms of your vocation now whip that

with hearing and call you've then got to

figure out what is it how is it that I'm

going to do it and how do I do it right

and and how do I know that I've got to

keep doing that and not do something

different and that process is called

discernment discernment is where you

kind of stop and you think is this one

being cool to do what's telling me that

why does my heart feel like that why

does my head feel like that and you

basically stop and have a really good

think about it

and it's a really fancy way of saying

something very simple but if you're

going to choose what to do with your

life the greatest gift you've ever been

given you need to stop and think about

it think about the things that make you

happier you think about the things that

make other people happy and in finding

those things you'll be able to discern

what your vocation is the whole sternum

was about youth based and vocational

discernment how do we as young people

figure out who were meant to be find our

identity live within the reality of the

world and then discern the way in which

we can live out who were called to be

our vocation in a way that makes the

world birth that serves the poor and

that brings Christ to other people

sounds really simple when Pope Francis

talks about it but we all know in

reality it's very difficult but we know

that actually we have a Pope and a

church that wants us as young people to

go forward to live our lives to the full

and if you listen to these last remarks

and Pope Francis I think they say it all

pretty well

dear young people my joyful hope is to

see you keep running the race before you

outstripping all of those who are slow

or fearful keep running attracted by the

face of Christ whom we love so much whom

we adore in the Holy Eucharist and

acknowledge in the flesh of our

suffering brothers and sisters the

church needs your momentum your

intuitions your faith and when you

arrive a we have not yet reached have

the patience to wait for us