Vatican City: The upcoming Jubilee of Youth, set to unfold from 28 July to 3 August, promises to be one of the most profound and anticipated events of the Jubilee Year of Hope. In a Vatican press briefing, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, described the celebration as a moment when young people from every corner of the world will come together in a visible sign of peace and fraternity especially reaching out in solidarity to those coming from war-torn countries.
“This isn’t just a festival,” Archbishop Fisichella noted, “but a heartfelt embrace from youth across the globe to their peers suffering from violence and conflict, from places like Iraq, South Sudan, and Lebanon. It’s a living testimony to the hope that young people carry and their potential to be architects of peace.”
Rome is preparing to host an extraordinary influx of over 500,000 young participants from 146 nations, with 78% expected from Europe and the remainder journeying from across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In a monumental show of hospitality, 370 churches, 400 schools, gyms, and even family homes throughout the Eternal City will provide lodging.
To meet the needs of such a large, diverse group, 20 food distribution centers will operate alongside 3,500 local food vendors, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner including special meals for those with dietary restrictions like celiac disease.
The Jubilee opens with “Dialogue with the City,” a vibrant three-day series of 70 events held in Rome’s iconic piazzas. These will include dramatic performances such as Duc in Altum’s theatrical portrayal of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, interactive social justice exhibits by Caritas Internationalis, and presentations from Mary’s Meals, highlighting efforts to end childhood hunger.
Each evening will close with a spiritual gathering, beginning with the Welcome Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
On Friday, 1 August, the focus shifts to spiritual renewal, with the Circus Maximus transformed into a field of reconciliation. More than 200 priests will be available in confession tents, offering the sacrament to thousands of young pilgrims in what promises to be a powerful day of grace and introspection.
The spiritual crescendo of the week will take place on Saturday, 2 August, as youth gather at Tor Vergata, the same site where Saint John Paul II welcomed the world for World Youth Day 2000. Pope Leo XIV will lead a prayer vigil, during which young representatives from Mexico, the United States, and Italy will engage the Pope with heartfelt questions.
The Jubilee of Youth will draw to a close with a Mass on Sunday, 3 August, celebrated by Pope Leo XIV in a send-off charged with energy, faith, and a renewed commitment to being peacemakers in a world in crisis.
“This is more than just a youth event,” Archbishop Fisichella emphasized. “It’s a prophetic act a visible step toward healing a broken world. In their joy, their unity, and their resolve, these young people will show us all that peace is not a dream it is a responsibility.”