Enthusiastic Young Catholics Exuberantly Greet Pope Leo XII at Vigil Event
In July 2025, more than 800,000 young pilgrims from 146 countries flocked to Rome for the "Jubilee of Youth", marking a significant gathering of young Catholics during the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year of Hope. The event, which took place from July 28 to August 3, culminated in a grand finale with a large outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV at Tor Vergata, the eastern outskirts of Rome.
The week-long celebration was filled with cultural, spiritual, and artistic activities throughout the city. The closing vigil and Mass on August 2 and 3 at Tor Vergata attracted the largest crowd of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. The event was compared to a Catholic "Woodstock" by Italian broadcaster Rai, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described it as an extraordinary party with pilgrims praying, singing, joking, and celebrating.
Pope Francis, the first American pope, waved to the throngs of young pilgrims lining his route. One of the most inspiring stories came from Quentin Remaury, a 26-year-old French pilgrim, who was moved by Pope Francis's message to youth during a 2016 visit to Krakow, Poland. Samarei Semos, a 29-year-old from Belize, expressed hope that Pope Francis would have a strong say about "third world countries".
The final Mass and vigil saw Pope Leo XIV arrive by helicopter and interact directly with the crowd. The pope took to the stage carrying a large wood cross, and the event soon became more solemn and contemplative as he addressed the crowd. Approximately 1,000 priests were available, with 200 white gazebos serving as makeshift confessionals.
Tragically, the event was marred by the death of a young woman who suffered a heart attack on a bus while returning to her lodging from an event in Rome. Over 4,300 volunteers and more than 1,000 police ensured security during the vigil.
The Jubilee of Youth, which took place 25 years after the last such gathering under Pope John Paul II, is expected to leave a lasting impact on the participants and the Catholic community. Young pilgrims, equipped with water bottles, suncream, and adjusted backpacks, set off from central Rome early Saturday, ready to embark on this unforgettable spiritual journey.
The spiritual journey was not just limited to religion, as it also embraced cultural expressions, with music playing a significant role. On the last night, a concert was organized featuring popular Christian and secular artists, creating a harmonious blend of genres, expressing the universal theme of hope amidst climate change conflicts.
The pope's message to the youth, echoing in the background of the closing Mass, transcended religious boundaries, positively impacting the global conversation on climate change and encouraging action in entertainment, media, and politics.
