Hundreds of thousands of young people attended Rome’s equivalent of ‘Catholic Woodstock’ over the weekend and Pope Leo made an appearance as the festival’s guest star. CNN Vatican Correspondent Christopher Lamb reports.

Rome

Pope Leo received an enthusiastic welcome from young people at a major youth gathering in Rome, marking the largest event of his papacy so far. Addressing attendees from 146 countries, he encouraged the next generation to seek justice and build a more humane world, emphasizing the importance of faith and inclusivity.

The event highlighted the church's efforts to engage with Gen Z, with participants expressing the need for visible faith communities and support for immigrants. Pope Leo also voiced solidarity with youth affected by conflict in Gaza and Ukraine, reinforcing his commitment to global issues and the future of the church.

What Pope Leo’s gathering with Gen Z tells us about his papacy

A rock star's welcome for Pope Leo, greeting an endless sea of crowds from every corner of the globe at a mega youth gathering in Rome. The first American pontiff facing a big test, whether he can inspire the church's future generation. Well, Pope Leo has arrived on the main stage at Tor Vergata. People are giving him a rapturous welcome, cheering. We're both embracing the young people's enthusiasm, but also ensuring moments of quiet contemplation, talking directly to them. Dear young people, Jesus is the friend who always accompanies us in the formation of our conscience. Seek justice in order to build a more humane world. For the young pilgrims, it's been a week-long jamboree of music and fellowship in a festival atmosphere. And the excitement was contagious, even for the cardinals. The Vatican says people from 146 countries flocked to the Eternal City, from as far as South Korea, where the next big youth meeting will take place. I wanted to meet a lot of people from around the world who believe in the same religion as me and do praise together. The religion brings people together. And some came from New Mexico, one of the front-line states of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. They want the pope to stand with immigrants. I think that's very important for him to welcome many new people from many new countries, many new places, so they can come experience it all. Particularly given what's happening? Yes, particularly from what's happening in the United States with other deportations and all of that. But connecting with young people today means the church must reach beyond the pews, with some research showing Gen Z are interested in Catholicism. Theology student Nicola Camporiondo says his mission is to help make faith more visible online. It's important and I do it because young people my age need to not feel alone, they need to see that there are other young people who, like them, are not ashamed to testify to faith in Jesus. Many camping out under the stars at the site so they could catch another glimpse of the pope in the morning. Good morning, buenos dias. With more than a million turning out for Sunday Mass with Leo. This was the largest event of his nearly three-month papacy. God bless you all. And his authenticity and quiet charisma helped him connect with the crowd. As they prepared to go home, Leo urged them to remember those suffering, stressing that the young pilgrims are a sign a different world is possible. We are with the young people of Gaza. We are with the young people of Ukraine. Leo, chosen as pontiff at a turbulent time in history, and while still adjusting to the limelight, seems to enjoy being pope. Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

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