Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics poured into a vast field on Rome’s outskirts Saturday for the weekend highlight of the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year: an evening vigil, outdoor slumber party and morning Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV that marks his first big encounter with the next generation of Catholics.

Pope Leo XIV thrilled hundreds of thousands of young Catholics on Saturday as he paraded through a vast field on the outskirts of Rome converted to host the Youth Jubilee.

The pope urged the young Catholics, hailing from nearly 150 countries, to value true friendship and to do good in the world: 'Friendship is a path to peace.' Though 500,000 attendees were initially expected,