Pope Leo XIV holds a Mass with younger individuals taking part within the Youths Jubilee on the Tor Vergata area in Rome, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday informed greater than 1,000,000 Catholic youths at a closing Mass for a weeklong encounter with the following era of trustworthy that they’re “the signal {that a} totally different world is feasible” the place conflicts might be resolved with dialogue, not weapons.
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the younger individuals of Gaza and Ukraine and different international locations “bloodied by conflict” who couldn’t be a part of their celebration.
“We’re nearer than ever to younger individuals who undergo probably the most severe evils, that are attributable to different human beings,” Leo mentioned. “We’re with the younger individuals of Gaza. We’re with the younger individuals of Ukraine, with these of each land bloodied by conflict.”
“My younger brothers and sisters, you’re the signal {that a} totally different world is feasible. A world of fraternity and friendship, the place conflicts aren’t resolved with weapons, however with dialogue.”
The younger individuals camped out in sprawling fields southeast of Rome in a single day after attending a vigil service on Saturday, additionally presided by Leo who has been ferried from Vatican Metropolis by helicopter. The particular Jubilee celebration is a part of the Holy 12 months that’s anticipated to attract 32 million individuals to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.
The Vatican mentioned greater than 1 million younger individuals have been current, together with 7,000 clergymen and 450 bishops.
Younger individuals get up after spending the evening on the Tor Vergata area in Rome as they take part within the Youths Jubilee, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.
Andrew Medichini/AP
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Andrew Medichini/AP
In the course of the Sunday homily, Leo urged the individuals to “unfold your enthusiasm and the witness of your religion” after they return house to some 150 international locations.
“Aspire to nice issues, to holiness, wherever you’re,” Leo urged the younger trustworthy. “Don’t accept much less. You’ll then see the sunshine of the Gospel rising daily, in you and round you.”
Leo reminded the group that their subsequent encounter might be for World Youth Day, set for Aug. 3-8, 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.
The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they transfer down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours on the Circus Maximus to admit their sins to clergymen providing the sacrament in a dozen languages.
Leo additionally shared some tragic information on Saturday: two younger individuals who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, whereas a 3rd was hospitalized.
Rain in a single day woke up the trustworthy however did not dampen their spirits.
“No less than we have been somewhat lined, however we nonetheless acquired a bit moist. We misplaced our voices somewhat. It was chilly, however we woke as much as a lovely solar and think about,” mentioned Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico. “Regardless of the difficulties, it was very good and really particular to have been a part of this historic second.”
Sister Giulia De Luca, from Rome, acknowledged that “waking up was a bit robust,” however that she was trying ahead to seeing the pope once more.
“It will likely be very good to conclude a really intense week collectively. Positively a variety of enjoyable, but in addition very difficult in some ways,” she mentioned.
