- 03 August, 2025
Vatican City, August 3, 2025: An estimated one million young pilgrims gathered at Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of Rome, on Saturday evening for the Jubilee of Youth prayer vigil.
As night fell, Pope Leo led the gathering in a vigil that included singing, Scripture readings, and Eucharistic Adoration.
The highlight of the evening was a question-and-answer session, during which the Pope responded to three young pilgrims who spoke in Spanish, Italian, and English.
Friendship, life choices, and encountering Jesus
The first question came from Dulce Maria, 23, from Mexico. Noting the “fleeting and often illusory” nature of online connections, she asked how young people can “find true friendship and genuine love that will lead us to true hope”.
In his response, Pope Leo acknowledged that while social media presents an “extraordinary opportunity” for dialogue, it can also “be used to lull us, to make us addicted to consumerism”. He underscored that true and lasting friendships must be rooted in God, quoting St Augustine: “It is the one who loves God in his friend who truly loves his friend.”
The second question was posed by Gaia, 19, from Italy, who referred to a “climate of uncertainty” that “paralyses” many young people and hinders them from making significant life decisions.
Pope Leo replied that life choices are not merely about selecting something, but rather about choosing someone. Each decision, he explained, shapes “who we want to become”.
The final question, asked in English by Will, 20, from the United States, focused on how to “truly encounter” Jesus and remain confident in His presence “even in the midst of trials and uncertainties”.
In reply, the Pope encouraged the young pilgrims to “reflect on your way of living”, “seek justice”, “serve the poor”, and “adore Christ in the Blessed Sacrament”.
Prayers for Maria and Pascale
During his responses, Pope Leo also remembered two young women – Maria, 20, from Spain, and Pascale, 18, from Egypt – who had died in recent days while participating in Jubilee of Youth events.
“Let us pray together for them, pilgrims of hope,” he said. “Let us pray for their families, their friends and their communities. May the Risen Jesus welcome them into the peace and joy of his Kingdom.”
The vigil concluded with approximately an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, accompanied by chants and prayers in French, English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Polish, and Latin.
Courtesy: Vatican News
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