The month of August found the Church in Rome celebrating the Jubilee of Youth, which was naturally one of the most energetic gatherings of the year.
One of the most anticipated moments was the prayer vigil at the University of Rome. Around 7:30 in the evening, Pope Leo arrived by helicopter. He was greeted with joyful applause. The crowd began chanting, “This is the youth of the pope!”
During the closing Mass of this Jubilee, the Pope made an appeal to the youth to “broaden horizons.”
POPE LEO XIV
As Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis have taught us—who will soon be proclaimed saints—aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you may be. Do not settle for less. Then you will see the light of the Gospel grow each day within you and around you.
It was a jubilant gathering and there were tears of joy. The faithful youth brimmed with hope as the Church concluded yet another powerful jubilee.
In the month of August, Pope Leo marked his first 100 days leading Christ's Church as the successor of St. Peter.
During these 100 days, he continued tirelessly to call for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
The Pope also continued the trend of vacationing at Castel Gandalfo, which had been left vacant throughout all of Pope Francis' papacy.
Pope Leo returned to the summer residence in mid August. On August 17, he hosted an important meeting: a lunch with the poor and the needy in the Garden of the Pontifical Villas.
The menu included local Roman starters, lasagna, traditional parmigiana, roast veal, fruit salad, and a very special dessert called Dolce Leone, a lemon mousse.
As this late summer month drew to a close, the Vatican was preparing to host another highly anticipated and historic event: the canonization of Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati—young figures of deep devotion and faith who showed the new generations of today that holiness and joy are possible in our modern, secular world.
