Throngs of youthful crowds honor Pope Leo XIV during the World Youth Day festivities in Rome. - Multitude of youths rejoice in the presence of Pope Leo XIV during the World Youth Gathering in Rome
In the heart of Rome, during the "Holy Year" of the Catholic Church, a momentous event unfolded at the Tor Vergata site. The 2025 World Youth Day and Jubilee of Youth, a gathering of approximately one million young Catholics from 146 countries, took place here[1][2][5].
As the sun began to set, Pope Leo XIV made a dramatic entrance by helicopter, landing on the field to participate in the Prayer Vigil and Mass[2][5]. The pope's arrival was a significant milestone in his pontificate, symbolising the importance of this gathering in this Holy Year, which is expected to draw 32 million pilgrims to Rome[2][5].
Upon landing, Pope Leo XIV rode through the crowd in an open-topped popemobile, greeting flag-waving, cheering pilgrims in a festive and spiritual atmosphere[2][5]. After leading the historic Mass, he departed again by helicopter[3].
The day was filled with prayer, confessions, Christian music, and numerous spiritual activities, creating an energized and sacred environment for the Pope's engagement with youth[2]. The young attendees, who had been present since morning, socialised and enjoyed the performances of various music groups throughout the event[4].
Under the Italian sun, the crowd swelled to up to one million people by evening[6]. Despite the heat, the participants remained fervent in their faith, making the 2025 World Youth Day in Rome a memorable and spiritually enriching experience for all involved.
- During the Pope's arrival at the World Youth Meeting in Rome, an entertainment element was added as various music groups performed throughout the event, boosting the morale and energy of the hundreds of thousands of young people gathered.
- Amidst the holy celebrations at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV's luxury helicopter ride marked a unique blend of tradition and modernity, further emphasizing the grandeur of his presence at the World Youth Meeting in Rome during the "Holy Year" of the Catholic Church.
