The finale of a youth pilgrimage that has attracted Catholics from all over the world, Pope Leo XIV officiated a last mass for more than a million young people in Rome on Sunday. With half a million youthful pilgrims in Rome for the most of the week, the week-long event that concluded on Sunday was a highlight of the Jubilee holy year and a huge project for the Vatican.
Before the pope held a twilight vigil on Saturday night, organizers announced that 800,000 people had gathered in the large open-air area on the eastern outskirts of Rome. The Vatican said on Sunday that the number had increased to one million.
The last ceremony for the students, who have been occupying Rome’s streets since Monday, was attended by over 700 priests and 450 bishops, according to the Vatican. Italian television Rai dubbed it a Catholic “Woodstock” as the joyous mood peaked on Saturday before a nighttime vigil led by Leo. As a number of religious bands performed for the masses, hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in the dusty location, some sleeping and others strumming guitars or singing.
When Leo arrived by helicopter on Saturday, he was met with thunderous cheers and cheers as he drove around the grounds in his popemobile, with crowds rushing to get a better look at the new American pope.
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