Pope Leo XIV Welcomed by Youth in Rome: A Celestial Gathering of Faith

Hundreds of thousands of young faithful celebrated Pope Leo XIV like a rock star on Saturday during an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome. The head of the Catholic Church made a spectacular entrance by helicopter, igniting cheers and tears among the assembled crowd. Organizers estimated more than 800,000 young pilgrims from 146 countries were present for this Jubilee of Youth, with some estimates suggesting attendance might have reached nearly 1 million. As the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling site on Rome’s eastern outskirts, excitement enveloped the attendees. Smiling from his popemobile, Pope Leo waved to the throngs of young people who flocked to the route, eager for a glimpse of the first pope from the United States. Many ran to find better vantage points to catch a sight of their spiritual leader. Throughout the day, pilgrims engaged in activities including prayer, music, and conversation with fellow Catholics under the sun's hot glare. An excited voice announced over the public address system, "The pope is here!" This declaration was met with thunderous applause from the crowd. The atmosphere shifted to a more solemn tone as Pope Leo took to the stage, carrying a large wooden cross. 'Dear young people, after walking, praying, and sharing these days of grace of the Jubilee dedicated to you, we now gather together in the light of the advancing evening to keep vigil together,' the 69-year-old pontiff addressed the pilgrims. Among the crowd was 18-year-old French pilgrim Julie Mortier, her voice hoarse from hours of singing and cheering. "We are too happy to be here. Seeing the pope, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she expressed, reflecting the sentiments of many. Event organizers noted that even more pilgrims continued to arrive throughout the vigil, raising total attendance estimates by the minute. Most attendees planned to camp overnight for a Sunday morning mass at the site, led by Pope Leo, marking the climax of the week-long youth pilgrimage—a pivotal event in the Catholic Church’s Jubilee holy year. Even those who couldn't see the enormous stage, dominated by a golden arch and a towering cross, remained enthusiastic. 'I'm so happy to be here, even if I'm a bit far from the pope,’ British student Andy Hewellyn shared. 'The main thing is that we're all together,' he added, as others nearby played guitars and sang while lounging in the sun. Italian broadcaster Rai described the event as a 'Catholic Woodstock,' highlighting the vibrant atmosphere generated by nearly two dozen musical and dance groups throughout the day, many with religious themes. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the pilgrims in a video message, emphasizing the eclectic joy experienced by attendees as they prayed, sang, and celebrated in an extraordinary party. The Jubilee of Youth, which commenced on Monday, is notably significant as it follows closely on the heels of Leo's papacy. It has been 25 years since such a large-scale youth gathering occurred in Rome, under the leadership of the late Polish Pope John Paul II. On Saturday, young people set off from central Rome to the venue in Tor Vergata, eager to spend the next 24 hours surrounded by like-minded individuals, planned to sleep under the stars. Excitement bubbled over for 21-year-old Victoria Perez from Spain, who exclaimed, 'It’s the first time I’m going to see him, and I can’t wait!' as she anticipated a night of prayers. French pilgrim Quentin Remaury, 26, reflected on how he was inspired by Pope Francis's dynamic address to youth during a 2016 visit to Krakow, Poland, saying, 'Pope Francis told us to get off our couches, and that really gave me a boost.' The pilgrimage comes at a time when attendees—many under the age of 30—navigate pressing issues such as economic uncertainty, climate change, and global conflict, with several pilgrims having journeyed from war-torn regions like Syria and Ukraine. Samarei Semos, 29, traveled three days from Belize to be part of this experience, hoping Leo would advocate for developing countries. Tragically, prior to the vigil, the pope met with travelers mourning the loss of an 18-year-old Egyptian pilgrim who passed away due to a heart attack. Security was robust at the venue, with at least 4,300 volunteers and over 1,000 police maintaining order and safety for this extraordinary event. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2