Pope Leo XIV Inspires Million Catholic Youths at Jubilee Mass: ‘A Different World Is Possible’
Rome, Italy – August 3, 2025 – Pope Leo XIV addressed over one million Catholic youths at a closing Mass for the Jubilee of Youth on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Tor Vergata field in Rome, declaring them “the sign that a different world is possible” where conflicts can be resolved through dialogue rather than violence. The weeklong gathering, part of the Vatican’s Holy Year pilgrimage expected to draw 32 million people, brought together young faithful from 150 countries, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops, in a vibrant celebration of faith and hope.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV urged the youths to “spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith” when they return home, encouraging them to “aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are.” He emphasized a vision of a world rooted in “fraternity and friendship,” explicitly condemning war and advocating for dialogue as a means to resolve conflicts. “We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings,” he said, specifically mentioning those in Gaza, Ukraine, and other war-torn regions unable to join the celebration.
The event, marked by joyous gatherings, hymns, and confessions in a dozen languages at Rome’s Circus Maximus, was not without tragedy. On Saturday, Pope Leo shared the somber news of two young pilgrims’ deaths—one reportedly due to cardiac arrest—and the hospitalization of a third. Despite overnight rain and challenging conditions, the faithful’s spirits remained high. Soemil Rios, a 20-year-old from Puerto Rico, described the experience as “very special,” despite losing their voices and enduring cold, wet conditions. Sister Giulia De Luca from Rome called the week “intense” and “challenging” but looked forward to concluding it with the Pope’s Mass.
The youths camped overnight in fields southeast of Rome after a Saturday vigil service, also presided over by Pope Leo, who was ferried from Vatican City by helicopter. The Vatican highlighted the massive turnout, underscoring the event’s significance as part of the centuries-old Catholic pilgrimage tradition. The Pope reminded attendees of their next global gathering, World Youth Day, scheduled for August in an unspecified future year.
This Jubilee of Youth, a cornerstone of the Holy Year, showcased the Catholic Church’s commitment to engaging its younger generation. Pope Leo’s message resonated as a call to action, urging young Catholics to be agents of change in a world marred by conflict, carrying forward the Gospel’s light through their faith and enthusiasm.