Approximately one million youth Catholics anticipated for Pope Leo's grand vigil ceremony
Pope Leo XIV's Message to Young Catholics during the Jubilee of Youth
Pope Leo XIV has delivered a powerful message to young Catholics during the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, emphasizing the importance of deepening their faith through authentic relationships rooted in Christ, making courageous life choices, and living according to Jesus' example of study, work, and love.
The Pope encouraged young people to encounter Christ personally, avoid the emptiness of fleeting online connections, and to build stable bonds of friendship and prayer. He also called on youth to pray "Stay with us, Lord" and to embrace hope and purpose amid uncertain times.
Thousands of young pilgrims from around the world have flocked to Rome for this week-long pilgrimage aimed at Catholics aged 18 to 35. The event includes youths from war-scarred countries like Ukraine and Syria, for whom the Vatican has expressed support and called for prayers for peace.
The message was delivered across various events at the Jubilee, including a large youth vigil and Mass with over one million young attendees. The newly built stage for the pope, similar to the last youth jubilee under Pope John Paul II 25 years ago, was used for the mass.
Amidst economic uncertainty and rising climate change anxiety among young people, more than 4,300 volunteers will be working the event to welcome the young pilgrims, along with over 1,000 police, according to organizers.
In an unprecedented move, Pope Leo XIV hosted a mass for Catholic social media influencers, signaling the Vatican's openness to supporting the Internet-savvy youth. Samarei Semos, a 29-year-old pilgrim from Belize, traveled three days to reach Rome for the Jubilee of Youth.
The climax of the event will be the mass that will take place in Rome's Tor Vergata area in a vast open-air space. Various events have been planned for the pilgrims throughout Rome, including confession at Circus Maximus. Many young pilgrims are interested in hearing the Vatican's position on climate change, wars, and economic inequalities.
Excitement has been mounting for Pope Leo XIV's final appearance to the youth on Saturday. Some 200 white gazebos have been set up at Circus Maximus for pilgrims to speak to priests in 10 different languages. Large groups of pilgrims have been packing the streets of Rome all week, waving flags and chanting religious songs.
Semos expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV would have a strong influence on "third world countries". As the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV's message to young Catholics during the Jubilee of Youth is a testament to his commitment to engaging with the issues that matter most to young people today.
- Pope Leo XIV, in his message to young Catholics during the Jubilee of Youth, also called for prayers for peace for young people from war-scarred countries like Ukraine and Syria.
- The first American pope, Pope Leo XIV, has shown his commitment to engaging with the issues that matter most to young people today, including climate change, wars, and economic inequalities.
- In an unprecedented move, Pope Leo XIV hosted a mass for Catholic social media influencers, signaling the Vatican's openness to supporting the Internet-savvy youth.
- During the Jubilee of Youth, various events have been planned for the pilgrims throughout Rome, including a confession at Circus Maximus, and many young pilgrims are eager to hear the Vatican's position on these pressing issues.
