By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor 

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis was a spiritual epicenter as 16,000 Catholic teenagers gathered for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), a three-day event (Nov. 20-22) known for its joyful energy, moving worship, powerful evangelization, and profound moments of encounter with Christ at Mass, adoration, and confession. This year, however, was even more historic: Pope Leo XIV participated live in the conference via video stream from the Vatican, answering questions from young people and showing a personal, joyful side that electrified the stadium. Dozens of teens from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, several priests, and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki also attended. 

“This was my first year at NCYC and I am so grateful for this experience!” said Amelia Hemann from St. Paul Parish in Highland. “It is so encouraging to be surrounded by so many peers that all believe the same things and love their faith in the same way as I do. It was also so amazing to hear the Holy Father talk to all of us. It really resonated with me when he said that we were the future of the Church, but also the present. We don’t have to wait until adulthood to help our Church.”

Her experience echoed throughout the stadium, an overwhelming sense that the Church is not only alive but young, vibrant, and growing.

Anna Lawless of St. Katherine Drexel in Springfield described the magnitude of being part of such a large, faith-filled crowd:
“I enjoyed NCYC tremendously,” Lawless said. “Coming together with thousands of fellow Catholic teens was phenomenal! My favorite parts were the digital encounter with Pope Leo and the renewed sense of mission that all the speakers gave us! It gave me incredible hope for the young Church.”

Part of that hope stemmed from the Holy Father himself. His warmth and humor made an unforgettable impression, as Amelia Lane of Holy Family in Decatur recalled.
“I loved hearing Pope Leo joke about how he only wears ‘white socks’ because it humanized him in a way I’d never thought about the pope (Pope Leo is a Chicago White Sox fan),” Land said. “It kind of made the Church seem less big and more connected — like one big family.”

Her most memorable moment, however, came during eucharistic adoration.

“Adoration was probably the most transformative part of the whole experience. We went down to the floor and all around us people were opening their hands in praise and emotion. Once we made our way closer to the monstrance, I felt overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit like never before. It was a beautiful experience.”

For many, NCYC deepened their faith and broadened their understanding of God’s love.

“For me, NCYC was an opportunity to expand my knowledge of my faith and exercise new ways to venerate my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” said Isaac Steinkamp of St. Francis Solanus in Quincy. “The atmosphere helped me improve my relationship with God and my peers. It was so moving to be there with so many other people who hold the same beliefs as me. I am eager to spread what I’ve seen and learned with all I encounter.”

Other students echoed the profound spiritual renewal that NCYC offered. 

“For me, NCYC has been so much more than simply a gathering of young individuals,” Ky Thomas from St. Anthony in Quincy said. “Rather, it has been an invigorating opportunity to truly create, deepen, and restore a connection with our one, true God. NCYC has given me the chance to transform into the vulnerable, authentic version of myself God has designed me to be. This experience has allowed me to realize that our Church is candidly bonded together through the fire that Jesus Christ has lit inside of us. I am forever grateful to have experienced this life-changing event, and I anticipate sharing it with those I encounter.”

Lucy McDowell of Blessed Sacrament in Quincy highlighted the friendships and community that grew during the weekend.

“NCYC has not only been a great experience for me to know I am not alone in my faith, but it is also a way I am able to grow in it as well,” McDowell said. “These past days made me realize how blessed I am for all of these opportunities to grow in my faith every day. NCYC has been a great chance to strengthen my friendships with my peers, random people you meet while walking to a talk, and most of all my relationship with God.”

The experience wasn’t only transformative for the teens. Adult leaders and clergy were equally moved. Father Zach Samples, Promoter of Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, reflected on both the vast crowd and the pope’s participation.

“NCYC is always a shot in the arm for me,” he said. “It is a complete joy to see thousands of high school students growing together in faith, worshipping Jesus in adoration and at Mass, going to confession, and just having fun. I hate it when people say, ‘The youth are the future of the Church.’ Sure, they are the future in some ways, but they are also the present of our Church. We need them as much now as we do in the future. NCYC gives me hope that the Church is in good hands. Having Pope Leo take part in the conference was pure joy. As soon as he appeared on the screen, the entire Lucas Oil Stadium erupted in cheers and applause. His smile, his laughter, and his words made an impact on us all. He reminded us that the key to living a Catholic life is pretty simple: go to Mass, pray without ceasing, serve those in need, go to confession when you mess up, and strive to love Jesus with your whole heart. It’s really that simple.”

NCYC moves to Long Beach, Calif., in 2026.