Pope Leo XIV yesterday, at the largest event so far during his three-month papacy, called on more than a million gathered young Catholics to spread their faith and enthusiasm.
More than a million colorfully dressed young people with national flags gathered in the Tor Vergata field near Rome, shouting “Viva il Papa” before the mass with which Leo concluded a week full of events for young Catholics. “Dear young people, spread your enthusiasm and bear witness to your faith before everyone you meet,” said the first United States (U.S.) pope during the mass.
At the end of the mass, Leo XIV referred to the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, calling on young people to help build a better world. “We stand with the youth of Gaza, with the youth of Ukraine,” he said. “Brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible,” he continued. “A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved by weapons but by dialogue,” he declared.
Many of those present at the field where the mass was held had arrived during the night in order to be ready for the pope’s arrival at 7:45 a.m. local time, before the high temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees.
“It’s incredible to see how big the global Church is, how many people are here, and how excited they are to see the pope,” said 19-year-old Rita Piendl from Germany. “We truly want to spread hope and love in the world and really make a positive difference,” she said.
The Catholic Church counts 1.4 billion believers worldwide. In recent years, it has been growing globally, but in Europe, it is losing followers. Yesterday’s mass was the culmination of a week-long series of events for young Catholics in Rome.
