Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., is a priest on the leadership team at Life Teen camps, and is the vocation director for the Midwest Province of the Augustinians.
So when he sent his friend Pope Leo XIV an email of Life Teen campers praying for him, he probably did not expect much of a response — given that the pope is on vacation, and is, well, the pope.
But that's not what happened: the leadership team and campers at Life Teen's camp got the surprise of a lifetime: a message from Pope Leo XIV.
The message was shared on Life Teen's social media pages, and was read by McCarthy.
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Pope Leo XIV's full message:
Greetings from Castel Gandolfo. So while you are at Life Teen Camp, please relay my greetings to all the participants. Assure them of my prayers, and encourage them to always look for the deeper meaning of the many different events that they experience in life.
Their lives are very meaningful, and they are all a source of hope for their families, for the Church, and for the world. I join all of you in prayer, and send my Apostolic Blessing.
In Christ's Peace, Leo XIV.
The message was sent by email from Pope Leo to McCarthy, Life Teen's President and CEO Randy Raus said in a comment that was shared with Aleteia.
"I’m so inspired by how personally connected our new Pope is to people around the world," said Raus.
"Even while on vacation, the Holy Father took the time to respond with a heartfelt message for the young people," he said.
"What a beautiful reminder of the universal Church and the power of prayerful connection across generations and continents."
Best ever!
Instagram users, some of whom were at the camp, described what the experience was like.
The message was "The best surprise at camp ever!!" said one reply to the video.
"I was there that week when he sent the email and it was a beautiful inspiring moment for all of us in that camp. Praying for you Pope Leo!🙏" said another.
"We have 17 middle school students currently at Camp Golden State! What a blessing to hear this while at camp!!" said another user.
What is Life Teen?
Life Teen is "a Eucharist-centered movement within the Roman Catholic Church," which "leads teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church," says its website.
It was founded in 1985 in Mesa, Arizona, and is now present in 1,600 parishes in 24 countries.
Among its programs are summer camps for middle and high school-aged students.
