Jubilee of Youth Draws Record Crowd, Economic Boost

The Vatican is hosting the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, drawing up to a million young pilgrims for spiritual and cultural events culminating in a vigil and Mass at Tor Vergata, led by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Major logistical and security measures, including extensive cooling systems, are in place to support visitors amid the summer heat. Over 1,000 priests and digital missionaries are convening to strategize digital evangelization, using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to engage youth. Influential 'priestfluencers' such as Fathers Giuseppe Fusari, Cosimo Schena, and Ambrogio Mazzai exemplify this modern approach by blending faith with relatable online content. The initiative, begun by Pope Francis and expanded by Pope Leo XIV, marks a significant pivot in the Church’s outreach strategy. The event is projected to bring up to €17 billion in economic benefits to Rome during the Jubilee year.