How will the new Pope be received by young people? is the question many are asking with a view to the World Youth Meeting, which is expected to attract around 500,000 guests from 146 countries by Sunday. Leo’s first appearance certainly went well.
“Esta es la juventud del Papa” – “This is the Pope’s youth”, rang out rhythmically from countless throats in St Peter’s Square on Tuesday evening. 120,000 young people had come to the opening mass of the World Youth Meeting, which the Vatican is expecting to attract at least half a million people by Sunday. And at the end of the celebration, the person for whom many of the guests from 146 countries had travelled made a surprise appearance: Pope Leo XIV.
“You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world,” he shouted to the cheering crowd after a “Buonasera! Buenas tardes! Good evening!” and an extensive welcome ride in the Popemobile across the crowded piazza and the neighbouring Via della Conciliazione. The sun was just setting over the Vatican and a gentle breeze was blowing. “The world needs the message of hope, and you are this sign of hope in the world,” said the US-born Pope, alternating between Italian, English and Spanish.
“We want peace in the world!”
He urged the young people to be witnesses of reconciliation in a world torn apart by conflict and to cry out for peace. “Let us all say: ‘We want peace in the world’,” he shouted in his short but concise message, which he delivered from the altar in front of St Peter’s Basilica. The crowd promptly echoed his words, waving countless flags from Argentina, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Poland, Senegal, Palestine and Ukraine. “In the coming days, you will have the opportunity to be a force that can bring the grace of God, a message of hope, a light for the city of Rome, for Italy and for the whole world,” said the man in white, before getting back on the white SUV.
Meanwhile, the young people continued to celebrate into the night – themselves and the Pope. “I’m very enthusiastic about him,” said Judita from Krakow. “He is very close to us, you can feel that.” Some of the “Pope’s youth” have travelled long distances to see Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV since 8 May. For Juan from Panama, the expensive flight was worth it. “He is very likeable and understands our problems,” he is convinced. In any case, as a quasi-South American, the Pope has a stone in his court: Leo was a priest and bishop in Peru for almost 20 years, even has its citizenship and is almost a “native speaker”.
A citizen of the world
Chloë from Nîmes regrets a little that no Frenchman was elected pope, but Prevost not only has Italian and Spanish roots, but also French ones. “I liked Francis, but Leo seems to be very friendly and clever.” Jérémie from the Congo appreciates the new Pope’s positive charisma and wealth of experience. “He is a citizen of the world, which is exactly what we need today,” says the pharmacy student.
Earlier that morning, at a meeting with Catholic influencers and an audience for baptismal candidates, the Pope had already spoken about the dangers of fake news, sex and drugs, but above all about the need to build networks for peace – his theme since his election as the 267th Pope in church history around 80 days ago.
Tennis and social media
His predecessor Francis was well received by young people. Almost exactly one year ago, the then 87-year-old was celebrated by 70,000 young people at the international altar boy pilgrimage. On World Children’s Day in May 2024, Francis was affectionately nicknamed the “Grandfather of the World”. This does not suit Leo XIV, who plays tennis, has been at home on social media for years and tends to cultivate a quiet sense of humour.
“He’s so mischievous,” says Lorenz from Berlin. “I thought it was great that he recently signed a Pokemon card and put on a baseball cap,” says the journalism student. Tim from Mainz praises Leo’s dealings with US Vice President JD Vance. “He also took him to task on social media for his views on migrants.”
Paul, who has travelled from Lübeck with his sister Maria, is still impressed by Leo’s performance as he rolls up his large German flag. Both are very excited about the next few days. There will be a reunion with Leo XIV at the weekend at the latest at a night of prayer and the big closing mass. But until then, the “Pope’s youth” still have plenty of time to celebrate, pray and sing.
