Pope tells crowd of one million young Catholics ‘a different world is possible'
'We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings,' Leo said. 'We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war.
'My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.'
The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday, also presided by Leo – who has been ferried to and from Vatican City by helicopter.
The Vatican said more than one million young people were present, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops.
The special Jubilee celebration is part of the Holy Year that is expected to draw 32 million people to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.
During the Sunday homily, Leo urged participants to 'spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith' when they return home to some 150 countries.
'Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are,' Leo urged them. 'Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.'
Leo reminded the crowd their next encounter will be for World Youth Day, set for August 3-8 in 2027, in Seoul, South Korea.
The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they move down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to priests offering the sacrament in a dozen languages.
Leo also shared tragic news on Saturday. Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was in hospital.
Rain overnight awakened the faithful but did not dampen their spirits.
Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico, said: 'At least we were a little covered, but we still got a bit wet. We lost our voices a little. It was cold, but we woke up to a beautiful sun and view.
'Despite the difficulties, it was very nice and very special to have been part of this historic moment.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Spectator
03-08-2025
- Spectator
Why Vance is worth watching this summer
America's two most powerful men are visiting Britain this summer. After Donald Trump's trip to Scotland last month, his Vice President is expected shortly in the Cotswolds. Both men share an interest in the UK – but for different reasons. Trump's ties are ancestral; Vance's passion is more intellectual. 'What's going on with Reform?' he asked Peter Mandelson at a recent function. His choice of England as a holiday destination reflects an engagement in this country's politics. Among Vance's friends and contacts are several prominent British academics. They include Blue Labour founder Maurice Glasman, who corresponded with Vance over email, and James Orr, with whom Vance bonded in 2019 after converting to Catholicism. Shortly after his election to the Senate in January 2023, he came to London and was keen to meet with prominent conservatives. As Vice President, he has shown an eagerness to use his office to engage in UK domestic issues. The best example of this was his Munich Security Conference speech in February. Here he attacked successive British governments for ignoring voter concerns on migration and free speech. He demonstrated too a level of familiarity with specific UK case studies – including a man in Bournemouth convicted for praying outside an abortion clinic. Vance has subsequently weighed in on different European issues, calling the continent the 'cradle of Western civilisation'. All this is to say that Vance is willing and able to use his status to shape the dynamics of the UK-US relationship and, potentially, the future of British conservatism. Right-to-life groups in this country were ecstatic when Vance raised the little-known-case of the Bournemouth abortion clinic. The Vice Presidency might have once been dismissed as 'not worth a bucket of warm piss' – but JD Vance has shown that it affords a bully pulpit with considerable clout in the social media age. Prominent figures in both Reform and the Conservative party are clearly aware of this dynamic. Allies of the Vice President have already met with senior members of Nigel Farage's party. The Clacton MP, who made little comment about Trump's Scotland visit, was this week willing to publicly indulge talk of a meeting with Vance when interviewed on LBC. Other engagements are expected with other leading conservative personalities of interest. Such engagements are timely, given Vance's status as the Intellectual-in-Chief of this White House. For now, he remains the second most powerful in the United States – but all that could change very shortly. The race for 2028 is set to begin in earnest in about 18 months' time and Vance is in prime position to succeed Trump as the Republican nominee. Much as how Thatcher and Reagan first met in 1975, an engagement with Vance this summer could prove most fruitful in four years' time.
North Wales Chronicle
03-08-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Pope tells crowd of one million young Catholics ‘a different world is possible'
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries 'bloodied by war' who could not join the celebration. 'We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings,' Leo said. 'We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war. 'My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.' The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday, also presided by Leo – who has been ferried to and from Vatican City by helicopter. The Vatican said more than one million young people were present, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops. The special Jubilee celebration is part of the Holy Year that is expected to draw 32 million people to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism. During the Sunday homily, Leo urged participants to 'spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith' when they return home to some 150 countries. 'Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are,' Leo urged them. 'Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.' Leo reminded the crowd their next encounter will be for World Youth Day, set for August 3-8 in 2027, in Seoul, South Korea. The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they move down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to priests offering the sacrament in a dozen languages. Leo also shared tragic news on Saturday. Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was in hospital. Rain overnight awakened the faithful but did not dampen their spirits. Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico, said: 'At least we were a little covered, but we still got a bit wet. We lost our voices a little. It was cold, but we woke up to a beautiful sun and view. 'Despite the difficulties, it was very nice and very special to have been part of this historic moment.'
Leader Live
03-08-2025
- Leader Live
Pope tells crowd of one million young Catholics ‘a different world is possible'
In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries 'bloodied by war' who could not join the celebration. 'We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils, which are caused by other human beings,' Leo said. 'We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land bloodied by war. 'My young brothers and sisters, you are the sign that a different world is possible. A world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are not resolved with weapons, but with dialogue.' The young people camped in sprawling fields south-east of Rome overnight after attending a vigil service for the Jubilee of Youth on Saturday, also presided by Leo – who has been ferried to and from Vatican City by helicopter. The Vatican said more than one million young people were present, along with 7,000 priests and 450 bishops. The special Jubilee celebration is part of the Holy Year that is expected to draw 32 million people to the Vatican for the centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism. During the Sunday homily, Leo urged participants to 'spread your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith' when they return home to some 150 countries. 'Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are,' Leo urged them. 'Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.' Leo reminded the crowd their next encounter will be for World Youth Day, set for August 3-8 in 2027, in Seoul, South Korea. The week has been a joyous gathering marked by bands of youths singing hymns as they move down cobblestoned streets, praying rosaries in piazzas and standing for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to priests offering the sacrament in a dozen languages. Leo also shared tragic news on Saturday. Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was in hospital. Rain overnight awakened the faithful but did not dampen their spirits. Soemil Rios, 20, from Puerto Rico, said: 'At least we were a little covered, but we still got a bit wet. We lost our voices a little. It was cold, but we woke up to a beautiful sun and view. 'Despite the difficulties, it was very nice and very special to have been part of this historic moment.'
