Over one million young Catholics from around the world gathered in Rome for the culmination of a weeklong youth pilgrimage, marking a major milestone for the Vatican’s efforts to engage the next generation of the faithful.
The event, held during the Jubilee Holy Year, showcased the Church’s ability to mobilize and inspire youth on a grand scale.
Pope Leo XIV presided over the final Mass on Sunday, delivering a homily that challenged young people to seek true happiness and live with purpose. “There is a burning question in our hearts: what is true happiness? What is the meaning of life? Do not settle for less,” he urged, encouraging attendees to continue spreading their faith and enthusiasm back home.
The gathering was a vibrant mix of music, prayer, and cultural exchange, with young pilgrims from 146 countries filling the streets of Rome since Monday.
The atmosphere was described as festive and energetic, often likened to a Catholic “Woodstock,” with thousands camping out, singing, and waving flags under the bright Roman sun.
On Saturday evening, a twilight vigil led by the pope drew an estimated 800,000 to 1 million participants to an open-air space on Rome’s outskirts. The event featured lively religious bands, singing, and dancing, creating a colorful spectacle that symbolized unity and faith.
The week’s activities included turning the Circus Maximus into an open-air confessional, and participants enjoyed concerts and communal prayers.
The pope’s arrival by helicopter was met with thunderous applause, and many young people eagerly sought glimpses of him from the crowd.
This youth gathering marked Leo XIV’s first major event since his papacy began three months ago and was the first held in Rome in 25 years, since Pope John Paul II’s last pilgrimage.
Organised with input from former Pope Francis during World Youth Day, the event aimed to invigorate the Church’s future leaders and foster a global sense of community among young Catholics.
