LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Mesquite teenager was among five teens nationwide chosen to speak before Pope Leo XIV during a packed gathering in Indianapolis.
Chris Pantelakis asked the Pope about navigating life in the digital age during the event.
“Really the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of. It was just so inspiring,” Pantelakis said.
The Pope’s response focused on the importance of human connection over digital interaction.
“It just really stuck out to me how he would say that no digital experience can replace a human interaction, a hug or a handshake or a smile,” Pantelakis said.
The teen said the Pope’s message resonated with him about finding true happiness through personal connections rather than screen time.
“A lot more people should realize that they’re not truly happy when they’re just sitting there in front of a screen looking at other people’s lives,”Pantelakis said.
“They should go out there and try to live their own lives too and interact with other people. That’s when you’re truly happy.”
Pantelakis represented Southern Nevada on stage during the gathering. His youth minister Isabel Pantelakis, who is also his mother, accompanied him to the event.
“It’s really such a blessing to see the youth take on these leadership roles and experience just these conferences, any type of involvement for them to be able to grow in their faith,” Isabel Pantelakis said.
She said seeing her son speak represented all the youth in their community.
“When I see Chris and when I see him up there, I see all of our youth,” Isabel Pantelakis said.
Chris Pantelakis said he plans to share his experience with his home community.
“I want to go out back to where I’m from and I want to spread it with people around me and I want them to see we’re Catholic and this is what we are,” Chris Pantelakis said.
“This beautiful community that we’re a part of and it’s just amazing and right.”
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