Five Bethlehem University students participated in the Jubilee of the Youth, held in Rome from 28 July 2025 – 3 August 2025. This global gathering brought together thousands of young people from around the world for a unique celebration of faith, unity, and service.

Representing Bethlehem University were Jeslyn Khair, Jullnar Lolas, Marcel Qassis, Ghassan Al Tawil, Khader Qassis, who joined other youth delegates from the Holy Land, and young Lasallians from around the world in this historic event. The Jubilee of the Youth, organized as part of the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025 celebrations, focused on strengthening the role of young people in promoting peace, dialogue, and social responsibility in their communities.

One highlight of their time was a meeting with the Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers, Brother Armin Luistro. During his speech to the assembled youth Br. Armin spoke of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank which made a deep impression on our students and those others present. 

Additionally, the students engaged in spiritual activities, attended inspirational talks, and participated in workshops aimed at addressing global challenges facing today’s youth. They also had the unique opportunity to attend a special Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV near the University of Tor Vergata, where he emphasized the vital role of young people in shaping a hopeful future and encouraged them to be “seeds of hope” in their communities.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with young people suffering from conflict, particularly those in Gaza. He said, “We are with the young people of Gaza, we are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war. My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible: a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue.”

Khader Qassis, one of the participating students, shared: “I learned that hope is not just an idea, it’s alive in people, in moments of unity, and in the courage to keep walking together, even when the road is long.”

The students described their experience as life-changing and spiritually enriching, strengthening their sense of mission as youth leaders and ambassadors of peace in their homeland.