On the closing day of the Jubilee of Youth, Pope Leo XIV presided over a monumental Mass at the University of Rome’s Tor Vergata grounds, gathering more than one million pilgrims from across the globe. The week‑long event (July 28 – August 3) served as a spiritual homecoming for half a million young Catholics, many of whom camped overnight in tents and sleeping bags to be present for the climactic liturgy.
A Message of Hope, Holiness, and Global Solidarity
Addressing the vast crowd, Pope Leo urged attendees to “aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less,” words echoing his earlier calls to live lives deeply rooted in faith and love. In multiple languages—Italian, English, and Spanish—he encouraged the youths to be “seeds of hope” and to spread “the enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to everyone you meet”.
In his blessing, Leo acknowledged those suffering across the world, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine: “We are with the young people of Gaza… with those of every land bloodied by war. You are the sign that a different world is possible—a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue”.
Unity in Faith: Global Youth at Rome
Pilgrims hailed from approximately 146 to 150 countries, accompanied by 7,000 priests and 450 bishops, all clad in green vestments under golden arches and vibrant music. Italian media affectionately dubbed the gathering the “Catholic Woodstock,” recalling echoes of wildly joyful worship and praise around every corner of the sprawling field.
Despite overnight rain and the tragic deaths of two pilgrims during the week (one due to cardiac arrest), spirits remained high. A young participant from Puerto Rico described waking up cold and wet but filled with awe at witnessing “this historic moment”.
Looking Ahead: Seoul 2027
During the Angelus address at Tor Vergata, the pope announced the next major youth gathering—World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, scheduled for August 3–8, 2027, under the theme, “Take courage, I have overcome the world”.
A Pilgrimage of Grace
Pope Leo called the Jubilee of Youth “an outpouring of grace for the Church and for the whole world,” expressing gratitude to those present for their joyous witness of faith. He reflected that the Eucharist remains Christ’s greatest gift—a source of transformation and life—and encouraged young people to return home with a renewed commitment to holiness, joy, and evangelization through daily life and authentic relationships.
This Jubilee marks a defining moment in Pope Leo XIV’s early papacy, signaling a new generational encounter and global mission among the youth. His words, drawn from the sacred liturgy, resonate with the call to holiness and peace in a troubled world.
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