July 29 – Pilgrimage to the Holy Door and Welcome Mass at St. Peter’s Square

July 29 was a day dedicated to the pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Peter. All the young people gathered there to pass through the Holy Door, each group at their appointed time. The Camino Claret group, after a journey animated by songs and prayers, arrived at the Holy Door at 11:30 a.m. in a climate of contemplation and deep emotion. Once inside the basilica, the young people experienced a moment of profound spiritual impact.

After the visit, there was free time to rest and share lunch. At 7:00 p.m., a Mass was celebrated on the basilica’s esplanade, presided over by Cardinal Rino Fisichella, head of the Dicastery for Evangelization. At the beginning of the celebration, the cardinal read the Pope’s message in six languages: a message full of peace and hope. At the end of the Mass, and to everyone’s surprise, Pope Leo XIV came out to greet the young people, traveling through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile, creating a moment of intense emotion amid cheers of joy and warm welcomes.

Meanwhile, the delegation from Humahuaca (Argentina) participated from 9:30 a.m. in a gathering with Argentine pilgrims, which began with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Then, they went on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to cross the Holy Door together, visit the tomb of Pope Francis, and around 2:00 p.m., celebrate the Eucharist in thanksgiving for his pontificate.

In the afternoon, they also joined the welcome Mass for all pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.