St Vincent de Paul Society Spirit of Youth representatives from across Australia joined around 6,000 young pilgrims at the 2025 Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne from 30 November to 2 December, revitalising the city with youthful energy and faith. 

A surprise video message from Pope Leo XIV was the centrepiece of the opening plenary, as he encouraged young Australians to embrace their God-given identity, resist isolating cultural trends, and stay close to God through prayer and the sacraments. Pope Leo invited pilgrims to draw inspiration from saints such as Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Carlo Acutis and Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, and to return home ready to build up the Kingdom of God in their own communities. Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli reminded attendees that they were pilgrims on a journey of faith rather than tourists. 

Closing the opening plenary, Ukrainian Mykola Cardinal Bychok CSsR held up a handmade rosary crafted by Ukrainian prisoners of war, offering it as a symbol of courage, faith and resilience amid suffering. He then led the assembly in praying a decade of the Rosary for peace in Ukraine and for all nations scarred by war and injustice. 

Earlier that afternoon, thousands joined a 5km pilgrimage walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral to the Festival venue, accompanied by the World Youth Day Cross and Icon, which returned to Australia for the first time in 20 years and provided a striking public witness to the faith and diversity of the Church. A lively Melbourne Festa on the Cathedral grounds, with music and cultural performances, set a joyful tone before the walk. 

With registrations at capacity, ACYF 2025 brought together pilgrims from schools, parishes, youth movements and dioceses across every Australian state and territory, as well as from Oceania and Asia. Over three days they participated in more than 100 workshops, daily Mass, concerts and prayer experiences, carrying with them the Pope’s challenge to live their faith with joy, openness and courage.