Hundreds Thousands Young Catholics Gather Rome Pope Vigil

Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from over 146 countries gathered in Rome for the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year youth celebration, culminating in an evening vigil and outdoor overnight stay led by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. The event, known as the "Jubilee of Youth," marks the first major encounter between the pope and the next generation of Catholics and is expected to draw up to one million participants. Pilgrims, many from conflict zones and diverse backgrounds, spent the week engaging in prayer, confession, music, and fellowship, creating a vibrant, festival-like atmosphere dubbed a Catholic "Woodstock." The vigil took place at a vast field in Rome’s Tor Vergata neighborhood, where misting trucks and water cannons helped keep the crowd cool amid high temperatures. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed the pilgrims, noting the city was "literally invaded" by young people celebrating their faith. The gathering echoes the tradition of World Youth Day events started by Pope John Paul II, reflecting a renewed spiritual enthusiasm among young Catholics worldwide.