In his first words directed specifically to Americans, Pope Leo XIV told young people on Saturday how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and in service to others.

There is no evidence Pope Leo XIV publicly said the quote in question. A Google search of the words " Pope Leo 'you cannot follow both Christ and the cruelty of kings' " revealed only social media posts featuring the graphic above or attributing the quote to Pope Leo XIV without any evidence.

The solemnity coincided with the June 14–15 Jubilee of Sport, where Pope Leo XIV asked pilgrims who belong to sports teams and associations to glorify God.

Carlo Acutis was 15 when he died in northern Italy in 2006, after a short bout with leukemia. The pope announced Friday he'll be canonized in September.

Pope Leo XIV expressed “great concern” on June 14 as the conflict between Israel and Iran deteriorated seriously following Israeli airstrikes on Iran Thursday evening, Iran’s retaliatory drone and missile barrage Friday, and continued armed exchanges between the two sides over the next 24 hours.