ROME — Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics gathered Saturday in a large field on the outskirts of Rome for a weekend event marking the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year. The highlight of the gathering included an evening vigil, an outdoor sleepover, and a morning Mass led by Pope Leo XIV. This event represents the Pope's first major interaction with the younger generation of Catholics.

For the past week, young Catholics from around the globe have filled the area around St. Peter’s Square for their Jubilee celebration. This Holy Year is expected to attract 32 million visitors to Rome for a historic pilgrimage to the heart of Catholicism.

Participants have been seen walking through the cobblestone streets wearing color-coordinated t-shirts, praying the Rosary, and singing hymns accompanied by guitars, bongo drums, and tambourines. They have utilized their flags as makeshift sunshades while taking over piazzas for Christian rock concerts and inspirational talks. Many have also spent hours at the Circus Maximus, where 1,000 priests offered the sacrament of confession in multiple languages.

On Saturday, attendees began arriving at the Tor Vergata field, located on the eastern side of Rome, for the culmination of their Jubilee celebration. After a three-mile walk from the nearest subway station, they passed through security, collected their boxed meals, and set up camp with backpacks, sleeping bags, and umbrellas for shade.

Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May as the first American pope, arrived by helicopter Saturday evening to lead the vigil and participate in a question-and-answer session. He planned to return to the Vatican for the night and come back for a Mass on Sunday morning.

The event has drawn comparisons to World Youth Day, a festival initiated by St. John Paul II in 2000 at the same Tor Vergata field. At that time, John Paul addressed an estimated 2 million young pilgrims, calling them the "sentinels of the morning" at the dawn of the third millennium. While officials initially anticipated 500,000 attendees this weekend, Pope Leo suggested the number could reach 1 million.

Chloe Jobbour, a 19-year-old Lebanese Catholic attending the event with over 200 members of the Community of the Beatitudes, shared her experience. "It’s a bit messed up, but this is what is nice about the Jubilee," she said, noting that it took two hours to get dinner on Friday night due to overwhelming demand at a local KFC. Despite the challenges, she expressed that the discomfort was part of the experience. "I don’t expect it to be better than that. I expected it this way," she added.

Tragically, the Vatican confirmed the death of an 18-year-old Egyptian pilgrim, Pascale Rafic, who died during the event. Pope Leo met with her group on Saturday and extended his condolences to her family.

Weather conditions have been favorable, with temperatures remaining below 30C (85F), despite initial concerns of heat reaching 34C (93F).

Local residents have experienced some inconveniences due to the influx of visitors, particularly on the city’s public transport system. Many Romans have expressed frustration on social media about crowded subway platforms and bus stops. However, some residents have welcomed the youthful energy brought to the city.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni shared a video message, praising the event as an "extraordinary festival of faith, joy, and hope." Rina Verdone, a local hairdresser, noted the positive impact of the gathering, stating, "You think the faith, the religion is in difficulty, but this is proof that it’s not so."

Despite the challenges, Verdone expressed her willingness to adapt her routine, saying, "You think of invasion as something negative. But this is a positive invasion."

The event continues to unfold as young Catholics from around the world come together to celebrate their faith.