Young Catholics from across Asia and the Pacific have just made a powerful statement for our times. In June 2025, hundreds gathered for the Manila Catholic Youth Forum both in person and virtually to launch the Catholic Youth Declaration 2025. Their message is clear: young people want a Church that truly listens, walks with them, and acts for justice, peace, and care for creation.

This declaration didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of a two-year journey that began in Chiang Mai in 2023, weaving through global peace forums in Rome, Geneva, Nagasaki, Assisi, and Bangkok. Along the way, these young leaders deepened their commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, inspired by Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, and the spirit of Pope Francis’ legacy.

Their declaration highlights both the signs of crisis and the signs of hope. From the climate emergency and shrinking civic spaces to rising mental health struggles, young people see the real challenges ahead. But they also see opportunities: a renewed focus on synodality, growing youth leadership, and the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul 2027 only the second ever held in Asia. 

What are they calling for? Bold action. They urge the Church to give youth real leadership roles, defend human rights, and stand up for the poorest communities most hurt by climate change. They call for cancelling unjust debts, banning autonomous weapons, and investing in sustainable futures. And they want a synodal Church that listens deeply not once, but always.

Their vision isn’t just talk. They’ve pledged to mobilize 300 youth organizations and 30,000 signatures by the end of 2025 to amplify youth voices at the UN and other global forums. They’re proving that faith, when lived boldly, can truly transform the world.

The Manila Declaration 2025 reminds us that young Catholics aren’t just the future they’re the present. They are pilgrims of hope, ready to light the way for justice, peace, and care of our common home. And they invite us all to walk with them.

Curious to see exactly what they pledged? Read the full Catholic Youth Declaration 2025