Initially, I chuckled when someone compared it to a Catholic Woodstock. But as soon as I arrived, it all clicked.
Strolling across the vast 237-acre Vergata site, located about 10 miles from Rome, I was surrounded by hundreds of thousands of young people gathering, setting up tents, inflating airbeds, and joyfully singing along to upbeat Christian music. It was a blistering hot day, around 90 degrees, and some pilgrims had trekked for as long as eight hours to be there. Yet, the heat seemed to have no impact on the cheerful atmosphere.
What stood out at the Youth Jubilee was the fact that these enthusiastic young people were not primarily there for the performances by renowned Christian artists; they were there to pray. Yes, pray!
Excitement surged through the crowd at 7:30 PM when a helicopter buzzed overhead. The “Pope Chopper” made a brief flight from the Vatican, circling the attendees twice. The cheers of “Viva daddy” filled the air.
As the helicopter stirred up clouds of dust, it radiated warmth in the evening light. Then, the big screen displayed scenes of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, arriving in the Mercedes Popemobile.
“Incredibly touching”
After weaving through the sea of people, offering blessings on both sides, the Pope took the stage and led a two-hour heartfelt spiritual prayer vigil.
When he mentioned the Eucharist, he emphasized the belief that it represents the true body of Jesus.
Vincent Bernhard, a university pastor at NYU, was there leading a pilgrimage consisting of young men at that moment.
There’s clearly a shift happening in how Gen Z relates to religion. Many of their parents may have distanced themselves from the church, perhaps due to scandals, apathy, or changing life priorities.
However, from my conversations with young attendees at Tor Vergata, it seemed they were searching for profound answers to timeless questions. Pope Leo touched on this directly from the stage, stating, “There’s a burning question in our minds, a need for truth that we cannot ignore, leading us to ponder: What is true happiness?”
The true meaning
By traveling to various places and covering the relationship between people and the Catholic Church, I find that many young individuals, particularly those who chase fame, wealth, and online following, are realizing something important.
They’ve been told to define their identities through careers and social media popularity. While these might bring fleeting joy, a growing number seem to sense that they don’t lead to genuine, lasting fulfillment.
When fame, wealth, and followers disappear, what genuinely brings meaning and satisfaction to life? The younger generation is on a quest for meaning, and many are discovering it within the traditions and beauty of the Catholic Church.
In recent years, being a Catholic has not been considered “cool,” and openly professing faith has felt difficult. However, when something is marginalized, it can unexpectedly resurface in a different form, intriguing young people and drawing them back in.
The Jubilee gathered a million young people in the fields outside Rome, depicting a profound connection. With a relatively young pope who addresses topics like social media and technology, it’s no wonder the youth feel engaged.
I found a home
As night blanketed Vergata, a choir sang, “Jesus Christ, you are my life.” A powerful message from the Pope resonated: “Where you are, aspire to greatness and holiness.”
Among the pilgrims was Marco Territzi, a 19-year-old from Illinois who recently converted. He expressed, “This was sensational. I feel truly changed forever. I’ve found my forever home in the Catholic Church.”
