Rome: The Vatican is preparing for a major spiritual gathering this weekend, as more than 70,000 pilgrims from over 100 countries are expected to arrive in Rome for the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities, scheduled for June 7 and 8. The event will culminate in the Solemn Mass of Pentecost Sunday, presided over by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square.
This Jubilee is a special moment for members of Catholic movements, lay associations, new communities, and missionary groups to come together in the heart of the Church. It marks their first formal encounter with Pope Leo XIV, and is intended to renew their evangelizing spirit and ecclesial unity. Large delegations are expected from across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia — including countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.
Among the many groups participating are internationally recognized ecclesial movements such as the Neocatechumenal Way, Catholic Action, Communion and Liberation, CHARIS International, Renewal in the Spirit, the Focolare Movement, the Community of Sant’Egidio, New Horizons, Gioventù Ardente Mariana, and the Salesian Cooperators. These communities are known for their vibrant missionary witness, service to the poor, and commitment to evangelization.
The Jubilee opens on Saturday, June 7, with a symbolic pilgrimage through the Holy Doors of the four Papal Basilicas in Rome, from 8 AM to 6 PM. Later that afternoon, pilgrims will begin gathering in St. Peter’s Square for a festive and prayerful gathering, starting at 4 PM. Music and cultural performances by representatives of movements from every continent will prepare the atmosphere for a deeper spiritual experience.
At 6 PM, the Pre-Vigil begins, featuring a reflective time of music, testimonies, and worship. A 130-member international choir will lead the congregation, accompanied by stories of faith and transformation from across the globe. Notable speakers include Hussam Abu Sini, an Arab-Christian peacemaker from Israel; Nicola Buricchi, a father who overcame drug addiction; Aline Minani, director of a peace school for refugee children in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and missionary couple Pedro and Maria Begoña Sánchez, who serve in war-torn Ukraine while raising 12 children.
The evening will culminate in the Pentecost Vigil, presided over by Pope Leo XIV from 8 to 9 PM. The Vigil will include the Liturgy of the Word, a Renewal of Baptismal Promises, and a homily from the Holy Father. The event is expected to be a powerful moment of spiritual renewal and unity for all present.
The Jubilee concludes the following day, Sunday, June 8, with the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration for Pentecost at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass, led by Pope Leo XIV, is open to all pilgrims and does not require tickets. It will serve as the liturgical high point of the Jubilee and a commissioning moment for the movements to go forth with renewed purpose.
As pilgrims arrive from every corner of the globe, the Jubilee promises to be a vibrant witness to the vitality of lay Catholic spirituality and a reaffirmation of the Church’s call to mission in the modern world.