Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics poured into a vast field on Rome’s outskirts Saturday for the weekend highlight of the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year: an evening vigil, outdoor slumber party and morning Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV that marks his first big encounter with the next generation of Catholics.

The pope urged the young Catholics, hailing from nearly 150 countries, to value true friendship and to do good in the world: 'Friendship is a path to peace.' Though 500,000 attendees were initially expected,

Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics poured into Tor Vergata on the outskirts of Rome on Saturday (August 2) for the final stretch of the Jubilee of Youth, a two-day gathering set to feature Pope Leo in two landmark appearances.