August 2 and 3 – Youth Pilgrimage and Mass at Tor Vergata

On August 2, hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth from around 146 countries set out on a walk under the intense sun to reach the large field of Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of Rome. During the more than five-kilometer journey, misting trucks and water cannons helped the young people endure the heat. Despite the fatigue, the atmosphere was joyful and full of enthusiasm, marked by singing, prayers, and a strong sense of community.

Once gathered at Tor Vergata, the youth waited eagerly for the arrival of the Pope.
As evening fell, Pope Leo XIV arrived by helicopter and toured the site in a popemobile, greeted by cheers, singing, and overwhelming joy. The atmosphere was one of true celebration and fraternity.

The Pope inaugurated the vigil with songs, prayers, and testimonies, accompanied by priests and bishops. One of the central moments was the Eucharistic adoration, which lasted about an hour, with songs and prayers in various languages (English, Italian, Spanish, German, Latin, etc.).

During a question-and-answer session, young people expressed themselves in Spanish, Italian, or English on topics such as friendship, vocation, faith, and social media. In his dialogue with the youth, the Pope addressed key issues like peace, justice, and radical life choices (such as marriage or religious vocation). He also warned about the excesses of the digital world and emphasized the importance of an authentic testimony rooted in God.

At night, the young people settled into sleeping bags or tents to spend the night in the field. The overall atmosphere was one of joy, hope, and profound universal solidarity.

The next day, Sunday, August 3, nearly one million young pilgrims attended the Sunday Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV at the same Tor Vergata site.

In his homily, the Pope encouraged the youth to be living signs that a different world is possible, promoting peace, fraternity, and dialogue in the face of current conflicts. He urged them to share their faith enthusiastically and to return to their countries as witnesses of justice and hope.

Despite the accumulated fatigue and a passing rain during the night, the celebration maintained a vibrant tone, full of fervor and shared joy.

Later, after the 9 p.m. Mass, a farewell gathering took place at Claret Way. Together, they gave thanks to the Lord for all that had been experienced during this time of the youth jubilee. The gathering had two main moments: a brief prayer, followed by a collective evaluation, and then a moment of relaxation and shared joy. At the end, the group leader handed each young person a certificate of participation, and there was a final moment of rejoicing and fraternity.