More than one million people attended this Sunday the mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV on the esplanade of Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of Rome, with which concluded the Jubilee of Youth, one of the highlights of the Holy Year. For a week, the event brought together hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world in the Italian capital.

The day culminated in a meeting marked by a festive and spiritual atmosphere, which reached its peak on Saturday evening, during a vigil presided over by the Pontiff. According to organizers, some 800,000 people attended the vigil, and the Vatican confirmed that the number rose to more than 1 million for Sunday's Mass. Under clear skies, most of the attendees slept outdoors in tents, sleeping bags, or mats, awaiting the ceremony. From early on, bishops dressed in green began to occupy the large stage adorned with a golden arch and a monumental cross, while a choir livened up the atmosphere. In total, 450 bishops and some 700 priests participated.

Solidarity with young people in situations of war

During his homily, Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people to live with spiritual ambition and a profound sense of life: “Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less. In this way, you will see the light of the Gospel grow every day, within you and around you,” he said from the stage of the Tor Vergata camp.

“Dear young people… transmit your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith to all those you meet,” said the Pope during his homily at the event, which was also attended by He urged people not to focus on accumulating material goods, but rather on helping those in need. The Pope also expressed his solidarity with young people around the world who are suffering from war, especially those in Gaza and Ukraine: "We are with the young people of Gaza and with the young people of Ukraine! With all those countries bloodied by war," he proclaimed. With this massive celebration, The Holy Year continues its course, leaving behind a clear message from the Pope to the new generations: live with authenticity, generosity, and hope.