Coming from five continents, 270 young people belonging to the Comboni Youth Movement gathered in Rome (24th July – 4th August 2025) to celebrate the Jubilee. Nine young people joined two Comboni Missionary priests, from the London province and embarked on a pilgrimage to the Jubilee of the Youth in Italy. Some participants share their experiences.
Before arriving in Italy, we had the expectation of meeting Pope Leo XIV, deepening our faith, and marvelling at the grandeur of the Vatican. Yet, as the journey unfolded, we were quickly humbled and transformed by the life and mission of Saint Daniel Comboni. Our initial hopes of a ‘grand adventure’ gave way to a deeper, quieter spiritual experience as we embraced a life of stillness with our new family at the Comboni Missionaries’ house.
We arrived in Verona on the 24th of July. Each morning that followed, we gathered for Mass, joined by young people from across the globe (particularly a large group from Egypt), and we met with elderly community members who, despite health struggles, remained firm in their faith, which was beautiful to witness.
One of the most profound experiences we had during our time there was visiting the childhood home of Saint Daniel Comboni in Limone on Lake Garda. Standing in the place where he received his calling was profoundly moving, stirring something within us and inviting us to reflect on how God might be calling us in our own lives.
In a chapel at Limone, where Saint Daniel Comboni’s parents’ remains rest, it became a profound experience for some of us. Despite the breathtaking beauty of Lake Garda outside, it was the humble chapel’s sacred atmosphere that moved us deeply. Overcome with joy, gratitude, and peace, realising in that moment the depth of God’s love in our lives. Moreover, it was humbling to reflect upon the sacrifice of Comboni’s parents – entrusting their son’s vocation into God’s hands, which proceeded to bear fruit that has touched countless lives in Africa and beyond.
After five enriching days, we left Verona. Saying goodbye to the friends and elders that we had met was bittersweet, but we continued onward as a tight-knit group, united more than ever. We arrived in bustling Rome just as the Youth Jubilee was beginning to gather momentum for the weekend ahead.
At the Comboni House in Rome, we celebrated Mass together, sang songs of praise, and travelled to various Basilicas throughout Rome. We were joined by a million young people from every corner of the world, united by our shared faith.
In Rome, sharing our personal stories became a profound expression of hope. These testimonies rekindled hope within the group, strengthening the conviction that every trial holds deep meaning when united with Christ’s Passion. Moreover, at the serene Tre Fontane Abbey, the site of St. Paul’s martyrdom, we were met with a quiet yet powerful invitation to embrace a life of courage and sacrifice.
On July 29th, we had the privilege of being welcomed to the Youth of Jubilee by the Pro-Prefect of Dicastery for Evangelisation, Monsignor Rino Fisichella, who presided over the Welcome Mass in St Peter’s Square, to which all the Jubilee participants were invited. It was a truly unforgettable moment, as we celebrated our first open-air Mass alongside over a million young people – an experience that felt almost surreal. To our amazement, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise appearance at the end of the Mass, which deeply moved and inspired everyone present. We were further blessed to see the Pope two more times – during adoration on August 2nd and at the concluding Mass on August 3rd.
One of the most poignant moments for us was the day before the Jubilee. Many of us carried personal burdens and memories that were difficult to confront amid the excitement of the Jubilee.
At Tor Vergata, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of global Catholic culture, enjoying the diverse languages, dancing with joy, and forging deep connections with fellow pilgrims. When asked to share about our faith, we reflected on our journeys and encounters with Christ, coming to understand that faith is a living, dynamic relationship with Christ nourished through the gift of the Blessed Sacraments, community, and prayer.
Pope Leo XIV’s reflections on the challenges that young people face with social media left a lasting impression. He encouraged us to hold onto hope – a hope for a future where communication unites rather than divides us. This emerging hope around social media struck a chord with over a million others, highlighting a modern challenge of the 21st century. It was comforting to see the Church address these concerns, especially as many young people grapple with navigating communication and discerning truth from falsehood in the digital world.
Furthermore, experiencing profound silence during adoration with Pope Leo XIV at Tor Vergata, surrounded by over a million souls united in faith, was extraordinary. In that sacred stillness, the world’s noise faded away, reminding us that only Christ can fill the heart with true peace and calm. The quiet was so complete, you could hear a pin drop, which was a powerful testament to the collective reverence of a million young people, and the divine presence of the Holy Spirit that was moving among us.
Together, we discovered that the Jubilee was not just about grand sights or historic landmarks, but about encountering Christ in the simple, shared moments — the people we met, the quiet prayers, the songs sung in diverse tongues, and the hope we carried in our hearts. We are grateful for this journey, the friendships forged, and the renewed faith that now guides us forward. We are very much excited for what the future holds for us.
At the end of the closing mass on the 3rd of August, Pope Leo XIV invited us to reunite at Seoul, South Korea, in 2027 for the next World Youth Day. (Sean De Asis, Allen Salada and Rhea Nadeem)-(Photo: Arlindo Pinto)
