Rome: The Spanish Steps, a landmark more often associated with couture catwalks and luxury brands, became the unlikely setting for a resounding proclamation of the Gospel as South African pilgrims led a public mission in the heart of the Eternal City.
The event, part of a global evangelization drive by the Neocatechumenal Way, brought together faithful from across continents including India, South Korea, and the United States. Beginning in Piazza del Popolo, the pilgrims processed along the bustling Via del Corso, filling the air with song, prayer, and testimony that drew the attention of tourists and Romans alike.
When the group reached Piazza di Spagna, city officials granted unprecedented permission for the Spanish Steps to serve as a platform for Catholic missionaries. In a striking reversal of its usual image, the staircase became a pulpit, echoing with messages of faith, repentance, and hope.
Dino Furgione, leader of the Neocatechumenal Way in South Africa, called the moment a sign of the Church’s vitality.
“The missionary Rome, the Church of Rome, is not dead. The Church of Rome lives! It is circulating all over the world and bringing good fruit,” he declared.
One of the most poignant moments came when Landon, a young man from Cape Town, shared his personal testimony before the crowd. He spoke candidly of a life once trapped by empty pursuits and how Christ, through the Neocatechumenal Way, set him free.
“Today, I’m no longer a slave. Christ has given me a new life, and I am here in Rome to bear witness to that… I think that little by little, the Lord is calling me to what I do not know yet but I am ready to do His will.”
His words stirred an emotional response among those gathered, many of whom arrived as curious spectators and left visibly moved.
For the South African contingent, this mission was more than just a Jubilee Year event it was a defining moment in their walk of faith, a visible sign that the Gospel can transform even the most secular of stages into a sanctuary.
As the final prayers rose over the Spanish Steps, the pilgrims’ message was unmistakable: the Good News is alive, and the youth of the Church are unafraid to proclaim it in the world’s public squares.