Pope Leo Meets One Million Youth in Rome Jubilee Vigil

Pope Leo XIV gathered around one million young people at Rome's Tor Vergata field for a major youth event during the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year, marking a significant spiritual milestone. The pontiff emphasized the importance of building genuine, Christ-centered relationships over superficial online connections, warning about the dangers of social media when driven by commercial interests. He encouraged the youth to persevere in faith, seek justice, and serve the poor to build a more humane world, inspiring attendees from over 146 countries. Despite the heat and large crowds causing some disruptions in Rome, the event was celebrated as an extraordinary festival of faith, hope, and joy, drawing comparisons to the World Youth Day organized by St. John Paul II 25 years prior. Pope Leo's engagement included prayers, dialogue with young people, and a spirited presence touring the crowd in his popemobile, creating a vibrant atmosphere of communal worship and fellowship. The event reinforced the enduring significance of faith in contemporary society and the youth's role in shaping the future.