Mass held for 1 million at conclusion of Pope's 'Youth Jubilee'
In a historic gathering, Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass with young people from nearly 150 countries, marking the culmination of the Catholic Church's Jubilee of Youth in Italy. Over half a million young pilgrims, camping out in tents, sleeping bags, or on mats in the sprawling fields southeast of Rome, attended the event over the past week.
During his key messages, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of living according to the example of Jesus, urging young people to study, work, and love. He encouraged them to seek authentic, stable relationships rooted in Christ, rather than relying on fleeting online connections. The Pope also called on them to have the courage to make radical, good choices in their lives, reminding them that Jesus is their hope.
He asked youth to "stay with us, Lord" through prayer and to follow Jesus’ example. The Pope warned against the dangers of social media reducing people to commodities and urged young people to build genuine, lasting friendships in Christ. He highlighted the importance of faith, friendship, and courage in uncertain times, and exhorted them to cultivate their relationship with Jesus through spiritual practices.
The Pope also referenced Blessed Piergiorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis as examples of young people who aspired to greatness. He prayed that young people continue joyfully in the footsteps of Jesus and share their faith with others. A towering cross dominated the stage during the Mass, symbolising the centrality of faith in the gathering.
The event, which took place at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, was the first such gathering organized by Pope Leo. Hundreds of thousands of people watched a religious concert on Saturday, while Sunday's mass was accompanied by music from a choir, about 450 bishops, and 700 priests, all in green robes.
The Jubilee of Youth is a highlight of the Catholic Church's Jubilee or Holy Year of forgiveness and pilgrimage, which runs until January. The wider Jubilee or Holy Year is expected to attract 32 million people to the Vatican. The youth pilgrimage took place three months into Leo's papacy, making it a significant milestone in his leadership.
In his closing blessing, Pope Leo remembered young people from Gaza and Ukraine, as well as those from other warring countries who could not join the celebration. The Circus Maximus was turned into an open-air confessional, providing an opportunity for confession and reconciliation.
Italian pilgrim Tommaso Benedetti expressed satisfaction with Leo's performance during the jubilee. The article was edited by Jenipher Camino Gonzalez. Notably, Pope Leo arrived by helicopter and popemobile, adding a grandeur to the occasion. More than a million youth participated in the event, making it a memorable occasion in the history of the Catholic Church.
- The Pope warned against the dangers of social media reducing people to commodities, encouraging young people to build genuine, lasting friendships rooted in faith, rather than relying on fleeting online connections.
- In uncertain times, the Pope highlighted the importance of faith, friendship, and courage, exhorting young people to cultivate their relationship with Jesus through spiritual practices.
- Amidst the world's conflicts and war-and-conflicts, the Pope remembered young people from Gaza and Ukraine, as well as those from other warring countries who could not join the celebration.
