The Pope has encouraged more than 700 young people who lived through Iraq’s jihadist occupation to be a light to the world.

In a video shown at the Ankawa Youth Meeting (AYM), Pope Leo XIV urged young believers to persevere in faith and become peacemakers despite the region experiencing conflict and instability.

The majority of the attendees, aged 18-35, fled their homes when militants from the Islamic State seized northern Iraq’s Nineveh Plains in 2014.

Ankawa was one of the main destinations for Christians who escaped the jihadists, and the Church there cared for more than 10,000 displaced families.

With practically no international aid provided for the families, they were supported by Christian organizations – including Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) which provided more than €20 million in aid.

“You must be Christ’s light in the midst of a darkness that can, at times, seem overwhelming,” the Pope said.

“You may not be able to control your situation or the challenges you will be asked to face, but you can always choose to allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts.”