0076/HAAC/01-2023/pl/P
ROME, August 3, 2025 – In the most significant event of his pontificate so far, Pope Leo XIV addressed hundreds of thousands of young Catholics on Saturday evening during a vibrant vigil at Tor Vergata, a vast open field on the outskirts of Rome. The gathering, part of the Vatican’s Jubilee of Youth celebrations, drew pilgrims from more than 146 countries and marked a key moment in the ongoing Catholic Holy Year.
Beneath the heat of the Roman summer, with temperatures nearing 30°C (86°F), youth groups waved national flags, wore colorful bandanas, and waited for hours in high spirits. Many had arrived before dawn to secure a place near the stage, while volunteers and organizers used water cannons to cool the packed crowd. Despite the conditions, the atmosphere remained energetic and reverent as the pope toured the grounds in his white popemobile, smiling and blessing attendees, and occasionally catching small tokens thrown by the crowd.
“Dear young people, my prayer for you is that you may persevere in faith, with joy and courage,” Pope Leo said during his address. “Seek justice in order to build a more humane world. Serve the poor, and so bear witness to the good that we would always like to receive from our neighbors.”
The vigil marked a powerful display of unity and hope among Catholic youth. For many, it was their first encounter with the pope and a life-defining spiritual experience.
“For me, it is an incredible emotion because I had never been to an event like this before,” said Maya Remorini, a participant from Italy’s Tuscany region, whose group arrived at 5 a.m. to join the celebration.
The event is part of a larger calendar of activities surrounding the Catholic Church’s Holy Year, which began in late 2024. The Vatican reports that more than 17 million pilgrims have visited Rome since the jubilee’s inception.
On Sunday morning, Pope Leo will return to Tor Vergata to celebrate Mass, concluding the weekend-long youth gathering. Thousands are expected to sleep on-site overnight in anticipation of his final appearance.
Elected on May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV is the first U.S.-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. His election followed the passing of Pope Francis and has ushered in a new era focused on social justice, intergenerational dialogue, and renewed spiritual energy among the global Catholic community.
Source:Reuters
Emebet Asefa,correspondent
Addis Abeba,Ethiopia
