Young people "have such a need to find true joy, true happiness," said Pope Leo on Saturday as he welcomed to the Vatican the artists who will perform at the youth gathering in Tor Vergata this evening, August 2, 2025, as part of the Jubilee for Young People. He encouraged them to share "faith, enthusiasm, and joy."
This Saturday on the campus of Tor Vergata University, where hundreds of thousands of young people are already gathering, songs, dances, and spiritual readings will continue throughout the afternoon as they await the Pope's arrival for the vigil scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Among the artists performing will be the Italian rock band The Sun and Brazilian composer Thiago Brado.
"For me, it is a privilege and a blessing to be able to participate in this mission, in this service, as Bishop of Rome, as Holy Father," said Leo XIV before the presenters, singers, and actors who will entertain the crowd on the esplanade starting at 3 p.m.
This will be the Pope's second meeting with young people, following his surprise appearance on Tuesday at the end of the opening Mass for the Jubilee.
Young people have such a need ...
The Pope said he wanted this "let's say family-like" gathering with the artists, praising "the beauty, art, music, and all the talents" they bring to the young people who have flocked to Rome.
"We are talking about more than half a million, perhaps a million young people from so many countries around the world," said the head of the Catholic Church, who will answer questions from three of them this evening on the podium at Tor Vergata.
Young people "have such a need to find true joy, true happiness" and "love," said the 267th pope, assuring them that all could find this "in Jesus Christ."
Leo XIV emphasized the mission of artists to share "faith, enthusiasm, and joy" through music, dance, and other art forms.
"It is truly a gift for all of us and for the whole Church, and I thank you sincerely," he added.
