Circus Maximus Becomes Open-Air Confessional for Jubilee Youth Pilgrims

Vatican City, August 1, 2025 : The ancient Roman arena of Circus Maximus has been transformed into an open-air confessional today, as hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims participate in the “Day of Penitence” — a key event in the Jubilee of Youth celebrations in Rome.

From 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the expansive site will host 200 confession stations, each staffed by priests offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to young people seeking spiritual renewal ahead of the weekend’s main events with Pope Leo XIV at the Tor Vergata esplanade.

Confession stations have been arranged to cater to a wide range of languages. Throughout the day, young pilgrims will find priests available to hear confessions in Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Polish. Additional confessionals for speakers of German, Hungarian, Slovak, Korean, and Chinese will operate during designated time slots.

To support the spiritual experience, the Youcat Foundation is distributing 10,000 copies of its special Jubilee edition book on confession. A team of 20 volunteers will hand out the books to pilgrims throughout the day.

First published in 2014 and updated specifically for the Holy Year, the new edition of the Youcat book is available in four languages — Italian, English, French, and German. It serves as an accessible and engaging guide for young Catholics exploring the meaning and practice of confession.

The book includes an examination of conscience, detailed explanations about the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and several practical prayers to guide pilgrims through the experience.

The day’s penitential focus serves as a spiritual prelude to the upcoming weekend events, when Pope Leo XIV will meet with the young faithful gathered from across the globe.

Courtesy: Vatican News

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