Watching the live broadcast of the vigil in Tor Vergata on the outskirts of Rome, and seeing those images of an immense multitude, you can’t help but wonder: what did the million young people come here to find? Was it to be close to Pope Leo XIV? That doesn’t seem like sufficient motivation to me. To get to know Rome? Maybe, but they would surely not have chosen that kind of accommodation, food and transport. The answer was found in the deep and prolonged silence during the hour of adoration. These young men and women from all over the world were attracted by Jesus, perhaps without even knowing it, to a personal and communitarian encounter, where He undoubtedly spoke to the heart of each one who returns home changed, with a stronger faith, with an experience of the divine that they will never forget.
TV image
The Jubilee week dedicated to young people began on 28 July and ended on Sunday 3 August 2025. Many activities were organised to welcome those who came to Rome for these days – visits to historical sites, to the basilicas, cultural events, concerts and catechesis.
The Focolare Movement also offered four special itineraries in Rome following the Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches, conceived by St. Philip Neri: a historical itinerary that has accompanied pilgrims since the 16th century. It was a journey of faith and fraternal communion, consisting of prayer, songs and reflections on Christian life, with group activities, catechesis and testimonies, aided by a booklet of meditations to go into spiritual depth in the light of the charism of unity. The large group that took part in the programme consisted of young people who spoke English, Hungarian, Dutch, Italian, German, Romanian, Korean, Spanish and Arabic.
The entire ‘journey’ was based on four key ideas: pilgrimage (a journey), the holy door (an opening), hope (looking ahead) and reconciliation (making peace).
“Hope” is the word that echoed in Samaher’s testimony, a 28-year-old Syrian woman: “My childhood years were painful, dark and lonely. Home wasn’t a safe place for a child because of the conflicts, nor was society, because of bullying. I faced everything alone, unable to share it with anyone, even attempting suicide in secret due to severe depression and fear. The Gospel changed me. After the life within me had died and everything had become dark… the Gospel gave me back the light.”
The catechesis took place at the Focolare meeting point and was led by Tommaso Bertolasi (philosopher), Anna Maria Rossi (linguist) and Luigino Bruni (economist). “Isn’t a gaze that starts from love and arouses love the most concrete face of hope?” was the provocative question posed by Anna Maria Rossi to the young pilgrims.
José, an 18-year-old from Panama, confirmed this in the testimony he shared about the period of his illness: “My experience shows that when you put the art of loving into practice, which consists in seeing Jesus in everyone, loving everyone, loving your enemies, loving as yourself, loving one another… not only does your life change but other people’s lives change too. It was precisely this art of loving, which many people shared with me, that created a balance that was so strong it helped me not to collapse in difficult moments, supporting and strengthening me through every obstacle I encountered.”
Laís from Brazil also did not hide the challenges she faced because of her parents’ separation: “There were times when I didn’t understand why they lived apart, and I wanted them to be together again. However, when I became more aware of what had happened between them, I was able to ask sincere questions, and neither of them hid the truth. This helped me to accept the reality of our family. Today they have a friendly relationship with one another and this, for me, is an example of maturity, forgiveness and true love, which goes beyond difficulties and mistakes. Starting again is possible when we really put ourselves out there.”
Pope Leo made several unscheduled appearances and gave unscheduled greetings, such as when, at the welcome Mass, he wanted to be present at the conclusion by travelling in the “popemobile” through St. Peter’s Square and the Via della Conciliazione packed with young people, to greet them. Speaking spontaneously, he said: ‘We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope. (…) May we always walk together with our faith in Jesus Christ, and may our cry also be for peace in the world.”
Then, on Saturday 2 August, as nature offered a magnificent sunset, responding to questions from young people in Tor Vergata, he reiterated his appeal: “Dear young people, love one another! Love one another in Christ. Know how to see Jesus in others. Friendship can truly change the world. Friendship is a pathway to peace ”. He then added: ’To be free, we must start from a stable foundation, from the rock that supports our steps. This rock is a love that precedes us, surprises us and surpasses us infinitely: it is the love of God. (…) We find happiness when we learn to give ourselves, to give our lives for others.” And he pointed out the way to follow Jesus: ’Do you truly want to encounter the Risen Lord? Listen to his word, which is the Gospel of salvation! Seek justice, renewing your way of life, to build a more humane world! Serve the poor, witnessing to the good that we would always like to receive from our neighbour!”
During Sunday Mass, Pope Leo XIV told the young people that we are made “for an existence that is constantly regenerated in giving, in love. And it is in this way that we continually aspire to a “something more” that no created reality can give us; we feel such a great and burning thirst that no drink in this world can quench it.” He concluded his homily with a heartfelt invitation: “Dear young people, our hope is Jesus. (…) Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle for less.”
In his farewell address, he described these days as “a cascade of grace for the Church and for the whole world.” He reiterated his cry for peace: “We are with the young people (…) from every land bloodied by war. (…) You are the sign that a different world is possible: a world of fraternity and friendship, where conflicts are addressed not with weapons but with dialogue.”
A companion by your side
This unique and unrepeatable experience of the 2025 Youth Jubilee has come to an end. On this incredible journey, we walked, sang and walked, danced, rejoiced and walked, prayed, laughed and walked… driven by a common goal and many travelling companions. Yes, because beyond the wonderful programme that enriched us culturally and spiritually, the image of thousands of young people like us walking will remain forever etched in our minds. Perhaps if we had asked some of them what their destination was, they would have replied something like: “We’re going to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore” or “We’re finally going to rest”, but I am equally convinced that if we had also asked them how they were doing it, they would have told us with eyes full of energy about the songs they sang, the young people they made friends with and the fullness of spirit that this walking together gave them. After all, for us, the Jubilee was just that: a journey like no other, in a city like no
other, where the dreams, hopes, joys and sorrows of a sea of people come together, where even if you walk alone, you still have a companion by your side, where the world is both tiny and immense, where everything cries out for Unity. We return home with a memory that will not easily fade, the memory of a United World that takes each other by the hand and walks, with heads held high and hearts filled with a greater spirit.
I’m Letícia Alves and I live in the north of Brazil, in Pará.
In 2019 I took part in the Amazon Project, and for 2 weeks a group of volunteers and I dedicated our holidays to living with the people of the lower Amazon, in the city of Óbidos.
Before embarking on this adventure, I wondered if I would be able to give myself completely to this experience, which was set in a reality so different from my own. During the project we visited some riverside communities living on the banks of the Amazon River, and everyone welcomed us with unrivalled love.
We provided health, legal and family support services, but the most important thing was to listen deeply and share the lives, stories and difficulties of those we met. The stories were all very diverse: the lack of drinking water, the child who had a toothbrush for the whole family, or even the son who wanted to kill his mother… The more we listened, the more we understood the meaning of our presence there.
“The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family TOGETHER”
LS, 13
And among so many stories, I was able to see how much we can make a difference to people’s lives: how much just listening makes a difference, how much a bottle of drinking water makes all the difference.
The project was more than special. We were able to plant a seed of love in the midst of so much suffering and “building together” made us grow. When Jesus is present among us, everything becomes inspiring, full of light and joy.
It wasn’t something I lived for just 2 weeks and that was it, but it was an experience that really transformed my life, I felt a strong presence of God and that gave me the strength to embrace the sufferings of humanity that surround me in this daily construction of a united world.
My name is Francisco. I was born in Juruti in the Amazon, a town near Óbidos. I was surprised to learn that people from different parts of Brazil were travelling across the country to give of themselves to take care of my people and I wanted to join them.
What struck me most was the happiness among everyone, the volunteers and the local people, who even though they lived with very few material possessions, experienced the greatness of God’s love.
After experiencing the Amazonia project in Óbidos, I returned to Juruti with a new outlook and the desire to continue this mission, but in my own town. Over there, I saw the same needs that I had found in Óbidos. This desire became not just mine, but that of our entire community, which embraced the cause. Together we came up with the idea and gave birth to the Amazonia project in the community of São Pedro with the aim of listening and responding to the “cry” of those who need it most, of those who are often not heard. We chose a community on the mainland, began to monitor their needs and then went in search of professionals who could help as volunteers.
With the collaboration of several people, we brought the life of the Gospel, medical care, psychological care, medicines and dental care to that entire community. Above all, we tried to stop and listen to the difficulties and joys of those we met.
I have one certainty: in order to build a more fraternal and united world, we are called to listen to the cries of those who suffer around us and to act, with the certainty that everything done with love is not small and can change the world!
Much has already been said and much more will be said, about the ecumenical significance of the year 2025. The 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea is just one, albeit a fundamental one, of several important anniversaries for the whole of Christianity being marked this year. But why is it still important to remember Nicaea today? What is its relevance? To understand, we need to take a step back into the fourth century.
In 313, Emperor Constantine granted freedom of worship to Christians, ending religious persecution throughout the empire. Later, in 324, Constantine became sole ruler and absolute authority of both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He realized that a doctrinal controversy was threatening the peace of the empire. He decided to convene a council of the entire Church to settle the matter. Though he knew it was a religious issue, he also believed that religious unity was key to political stability. Between 250-318 bishops from all parts of the empire came to Nicaea. The aim was to defend and affirm the apostolic faith and doctrine about the divine and human nature of Jesus Christ, in contrast to the teachings of the priest Arius of Alexandria and his supporters, who claimed that Christ was not eternally divine, but the first and most sublime creature made by God.
Constantinople Gate (Ancient City of Nicaea)Lefke Gate (Nicaea Wall)
It is understandable that such a mystery, the nature of the person of Jesus Christ, posed a challenge to human intellect. But even more compelling was the testimony of the apostles and the many Christians willing to die for this belief. Indeed, many bishops who came to the Council still bore the physical marks of torture and suffering endured for the faith.
Thus, this Council defined the faith that underpins Christianity and is still professed by all Christian Churches: the God revealed by Jesus Christ is one but not solitary. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God in three distinct Persons who have always existed.
Remembering Nicaea today is therefore highly relevant: it was a Council that laid the foundation for the synodal structure of the Church, which we are striving to realize more fully today; it unified the date of Easter for the entire Church (although differences emerged over time due to changes in calendars); and it set out the key points of the Christian faith. In particular, this last aspect challenges us strongly today. Perhaps the tendency to deny the divinity of Christ has never completely disappeared. Today, many find it easier or more comfortable to speak of Jesus focusing on his human qualities, as a wise man, an exemplary figure, a prophet, rather than professing him as the only-begotten Son of God, of one substance with the Father.
Iznik, ancient Nicaea, today a small town in Turkey
Faced with these challenges, we might imagine Jesus asking us today the same question he once asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am?” (Mt. 16:13–17).
To accept and profess the Nicene Creed together is thus ecumenically significant. Reconciliation among Christians means reconciliation not only with and among today’s Churches, but also with the tradition of the early and apostolic Church.
Considering today’s world, with all its anxieties, problems and hopes, we become even more aware that Christian unity is not only a Gospel imperative, it is also a historical necessity.
If we want to confess together that Jesus is God, then His words, especially what He called His “new commandment,” the very criterion by which the world would recognize us as His disciples, will take on new meaning for us. Living this commandment “will be the only way, or certainly the most effective way, to speak of God today to those who do not believe, to make the Resurrection of Christ translatable into terms that can be understood by people today.”[1]
[1] BENEDETTO XVI, Luce del mondo. Il Papa, la Chiesa e i segni dei tempi. Una conversazione con Peter Seewald, Libreria editrice Vaticana, Città del Vaticano 2010, p. 98.
Over 150 delegations from all over the world attended Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass: political leaders, heads of Christian Churches, representatives of different religions and over 200,000 faithful from all over the world. It took place in St. Peter’s Square on 18th May. The new Pontiff wanted to begin by meeting the pilgrims, traveling around the Square and along the Via della Conciliazione in the Pope-mobile, in a long, joyous and emotional greeting. He then paused at the tomb of Peter, of whom he is now the successor, before commencing the Eucharistic celebration.
A group from the International Centre of the Focolare attended in representation of the President of the Movement, Margaret Karram and the Co-President Jesús Morán who are currently in the United States.
Silvia Escandell (Argentina), Focolare Central Delegate, described the moment, “This was an experience of the universality of the Church. I felt that Pope Leo XIV, surely also thanks to his charism, draws together this profound diversity into unity. I was impressed by how he immediately used two words, ‘love and unity’ and how his entire address followed this theme . I was also moved when he referred to Peter, to whom Jesus said to cast the nets, and how the Pope called us to do so again, knowing these are the nets of the Gospel, which goes out to meet every person. It seems to me a sign of great hope, for the Church and for humanity ”.
Photos: St. Peter’s Square crowded with the faithful, a moment of the celebration and the group from the Focolare International Centre.
Ray Asprer (Philippines), also Central Delegate of the Focolare Movement, said, “For me today was a powerful experience of progressing towards a united world. . Seeing the entire square filled and above all, listening to the Pope’s appeal expressing his vision of a Church as an instrument of unity, I felt that this was exactly what we were living there, in all its solemnity, but also as a real experience. We were standing together from all over the world, gathered around the Pope who proclaimed that the Church’s mission is love and unity. I felt a call to unity as a sign of the times ”.
Chiara Cuneo (Italy), Councillor at the International Centre of Focolare and co-responsible for Dialogue between Movements and new Communities within the Catholic Church, also spoke of hope, saying.“In this world, in this dark time, hope is a light that guides us. During the Mass I thought that, sometimes, it takes the desert, to allow you to see the sprouts of hope. And today is one of those shoots: something is growing ”.
“The words of the Pope about walking together were very inclusive. He really mentioned everyone, we were all included, absolutely everyone“.
“She concluded, “I was able to greet some Founders and Presidents of various Church Movements. It was a moment of celebration, joy and renewed hope for everyone. We all felt the desire to continue this journey together, truly wishing to love one another more and more, just as the Pope said ”.
Enno Dijkema (Netherlands) Councillor at the International Centre of Focolare and Co-Responsible for the Centre for Christian Unity, added, “There were also many leaders of other Christian Churchesand the Pope clearly said that he wants to be in dialogue with everyone and that he wants to be a servant of the unity of the Church of Christ.I was very movedwhen he spoke of his ministry and described it not as being above all, but below, as love, as service that brings joy and faith to all Christians and to the whole world. In front of so many heads of State it seemed to me a beautiful testimony, a meaningful indication of ‘power’ understood as love, as service ”.
A Pope who dreamed and made us dream… what was his dream? He once said it himself, that “the Church is the Gospel”. Not in the sense that the Gospel is the exclusive property of the Church. But in the sense that Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was crucified outside the walls as if he were a criminal and instead whom God Abbà raised from the dead as the first-born Son among many brothers and sisters, he continues here and now, through those who recognise themselves in his name, to bring the good news that the Kingdom of God has come and is coming… for everyone, starting with the “least” who have been touched by the Gospel for who they are in the eyes of God, the “first ones”. This is true and not a figure of speech. This is the Gospel, that the Church proclaims and contributes to making history. This is so, the more it is transformed by the Gospel. As it happened, from the very beginning, to Peter and John when, on their way up to the temple, they met the man who was crippled from birth at the entrance called the “Beautiful Gate”. Together they looked straight at him, and he in turn looked them in the eye. And Peter said to him: “I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
The Gospel of Jesus and the mission of the Church. Make the effort to stand up and walk. This is how the Father thinks of us, wants us and accompanies us. Jorge Maria Bergoglio – with all the strength and the frailty of his humanity, which made us feel that he was like our brother – it is for this that he has spent his life and his service as Bishop of Rome. From that first appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s, when he bowed and asked for the People of God to invoke a blessing for him, to the last appearance, on Easter Sunday, when in a faint voice he gave the blessing of the risen Christ, then went down into the square to meet the eyes of the people. His dream was that of a Church which is “poor and of the poor”. In the spirit of Vatican II, which called the Church back to its only model, Jesus: who “stripped himself, making himself a servant”.
The name, Francis that he chose expresses the soul of what he wanted to do, and, first of all, to be: a witness to the Gospel “sine glossa”, that is, without comment and without adaptation. Because the Gospel is neither an ornament, nor a filler, nor an anaesthetic: it is a proclamation of truth and of life, of joy, of justice, of peace and fraternity. So, there we have the Church’s reform programme in Evangelii gaudium, and the manifestos of a new planetary humanism in Laudato sì and Fratelli tutti. We have the Jubilee of Mercy and the Jubilee of Hope. We have the document on universal fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi with the great Iman of Al Ahzar, and there we have the countless occasions of encounter experienced with members of different faiths and convictions. There we have the tireless work in defence of the abandoned, the migrants, the people who are abused. There we have the categorical rejection of war.
Francis was very clear that it is not enough for the Gospel to speak, with all its subversive force, in the complex and even contradictory Areopagus of our time. Something more is needed: because we are not only in an epoch of changes, but we are in the midst of a change of epoch. We need to look with a new perspective. The one with which Jesus looked and looks at us, from the Father. The gaze that, with tender and heartfelt words, is described in his spiritual and theological testament, the encyclical Dilexit nos. It is the simple and radical outlook of loving one’s neighbour as oneself and of loving one another in a selfless, free, hospitable reciprocity, open to everyone, everyone, everyone. The synodal process in which the Catholic Church – and, for their part, all the other Churches – has been convened shows the path to take in this third millennium of ours: beyond a clerical, hierarchical, male-dominated Church… A new path because it is as old as the Gospel. A difficult path, costly and full of obstacles. But a great prophecy, entrusted to our creative and tenacious responsibility.
Thank you, Francis! Your body will now rest beside Mary, who accompanied you step by step, as a mother, on your holy journey. With her, you now accompany all of us, from the womb of God, on the journey that awaits us.
