He was speaking as a group of young adults from Limerick city and county arrived in Rome for the International Jubilee of Youth.
The most senior figure in the Catholic church in Limerick also urged those who are searching for something deeper to “give faith a go”.
Seventy people from Limerick were in Rome for the special event, a significant portion of the 600-plus Irish delegation, who were there to celebrate their faith and meet other pilgrims from across the world.
“Thank God we are seeing a rise in youth communities of faith across Ireland and also in Limerick. I am also happy to see how in Limerick these groups of young Catholics are also beginning to network more. There’s even an app that tells of youth faith events around the country. That is encouraging,” Bishop Leahy said.
He referred to the problems faced by youngsters in this day and age.
“We hear a lot today about anxiety levels increasing in young people. We hear about the loneliness of young people despite being so connected through social media. We hear about their fears for the future of our world and our planet. Too often they are sold counterfeits of truth,” he said.
The Gospel lived together in communities, Bishop Leahy continued, is the answer to what young people are searching for, and they get a taste of that during a large international event like the one we are going to in Rome.
“I would appeal to those young adults who are searching to give faith a go. There are loads of online possibilities of exploring the Catholic faith and get to know it personally as an adult. The trouble often is that our religious education finished when people were young and they haven’t grown in their level of knowledge about faith and religion now that they are adults with adult questions,” he said.
Bishop Leahy also pointed to surveys showing religious attendance and belonging to communities of faith are correlated with higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in life.
More than half a million young people from across the world are expected to touch down in the Italian capital, where the Vatican City is located.