EWTN Global Catholic Network announced it will serve as the exclusive media partner providing news coverage, broadcast, and digital streaming of Pope Leo XIV’s first-ever digital visit with American Catholic youth during the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) hosted by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) on November 21, 2025.
The historic encounter will connect the Holy Father live from the Vatican with thousands of young people gathered in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, and many more watching online around the world.
According to the NCYC, the Holy Father is expected to address as many as 15,000 registered young people ages 14-18 from Catholic youth movements across the United States and engage directly with them during a 45-minute live dialogue, beginning at 10:15 am ET on November 21.
A select number of young people will be chosen to directly converse with Pope Leo during the session. The NFCYM indicated that details about the selection process will be shared in the coming weeks.
The encounter will take place on the second day of the November 20-22 NCYC, which in addition to the young people will gather Catholic youth ministry leaders, clergy, and volunteers from across the country for three days of prayer, formation, community, and celebration.
Reacting to the announcement, Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis said “It’s wonderful to welcome the youth of the United States back to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis just a year after we had 60,000 Catholics there for the National Eucharistic Congress.” He added that “Revival in the United States isn’t something to hope for, it is something that is happening. I am pleased to partner with NFCYM, my brother bishops, and EWTN, to facilitate this important digital encounter.”
“From the very beginning, EWTN has been the place where the faithful can gather—across distances and time zones—for the great moments in the life of the Church,” said Michael P. Warsaw, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN. “As we continue to grow and adapt our media platforms, serving younger audiences has become an essential part of our mission. This historic encounter will not only inspire young people but also invite them more deeply into the heart of the Church,” he noted.
Montse Alvarado, President and COO of EWTN News, added: “At EWTN News, we are committed to covering and supporting events of significance in the global Church. We are especially excited to partner with NCYC, NFCYM, and honoured to work with the Holy Father on this unprecedented moment for the young people of the American Church with the first American Pope.”
