Rome, Italy — Thousands of Catholic youth from around the world began converging on Rome Saturday for a highly anticipated evening vigil led by Pope Leo XIV, marking the climax of the Vatican’s “Jubilee of Youth”—a key highlight of the Holy Year.
The gathering, which draws Catholics aged 18 to 35, is expected to attract close to one million participants. Pilgrims have arrived from over 140 countries, filling streets, plazas, and historic landmarks of the Eternal City with chants, prayers, and flags representing every corner of the globe.
The event is especially significant as it marks the first major youth pilgrimage under Pope Leo XIV, 69, the first American to hold the papacy, who assumed the office just three months ago. It also comes 25 years after a similar mass youth assembly led by the late Pope John Paul II.
As of Saturday morning, thousands of young pilgrims had begun gathering at the Tor Vergata field in eastern Rome — the vigil site — laying down blankets and mattresses in preparation for an overnight prayer experience under the stars.
Elsewhere in the city, groups of youth could be seen preparing for the trek, filling water bottles, applying sunscreen, and packing food and essentials for what promises to be a 24-hour spiritual immersion.
Victoria Perez, a 21-year-old pilgrim from Spain, shared her excitement.
“This is my first time seeing the Pope in person. I’m looking forward to a night of prayer beneath the stars,” she said.
Quentin Remaury, 26, from France, said he was inspired by the message of the late Pope Francis during the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, which urged youth to take action.
“Francis told us to ‘get off your couches,’ and that stayed with me,” he noted.
Since the start of the Jubilee on Monday, participants have engaged in various spiritual and cultural activities. On Friday, over 1,000 priests offered confession at Circus Maximus, a historic Roman arena, where 200 white tents were set up to accommodate youths seeking spiritual guidance in ten different languages.
While Spanish was the most commonly spoken language among pilgrims, the Vatican reported participation from more than 146 countries.
The pilgrimage takes place amid growing global unease among young people over climate change, economic instability, and war. Many expressed hope that Pope Leo would address pressing global issues and define the Church’s stance on modern challenges.
Samarei Semos, 29, who travelled from Belize, said:
“We are trying to understand his leadership. I want to hear what he says about third world countries.”
Alice Berry, a student from Paris, echoed that curiosity:
“What message does he have for us?”
The vigil also unfolds against the backdrop of escalating crises, including the humanitarian emergency in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a notable gesture earlier this week, Pope Leo hosted a special Mass for Catholic social media influencers — an unprecedented move seen as an outreach to the digital generation.
The Vatican has commended the courage of youth traveling from conflict-affected regions, with Pope Leo declaring that the voices of young people “will be heard to the ends of the earth.”
More than 4,300 volunteers and over 1,000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure safety, as Rome faces record crowds with both pilgrims and tourists flooding the city.
By Adeola Olaniya | August 2, 2025
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