Vatican and Italian authorities are finalizing preparations to welcome the half a million young people expected to participate in the Youth Jubilee. This major event will take place between July 28 and August 3, featuring more than 70 different activities in the squares of Rome.
During a press conference held at the Vatican on July 23, Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, stressed that the Jubilee is "a moment of grace". He also highlighted the participation of young people who will come from countries at war, which makes this meeting "an event of peace and construction".
"This moment of joy and celebration," the Archbishop continued, "is meant to be an embrace of all the young people of the world." The President pointed out as one of the most important moments the day of Penance that will take place on August 1 at the Circus Maximus, where 200 priests will alternate every two hours to confess all the young people who want to receive the sacrament.
For his part, the President of the Jubilee Technical Directorate, Alfredo Mantovano, indicated at the same press conference that "the presence of young people at the Jubilee represents an invaluable heritage for the communities from which they come and to which they return".
A challenge for security
The large number of people participating in the Jubilee represents an enormous challenge, as Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, pointed out. For this reason, "the city has deployed a large technological apparatus to reinforce security," with some 20,000 people working to ensure the safety of the participants.
On the other hand, in order to facilitate transportation, subway and bus services will be extended in the city. This is part of the plan drawn up by Fabio Ciciliano, Head of the Civil Protection Department, who assured at the press conference that the aim is to prevent the Jubilee from disrupting the daily life of people in Rome.
Youth Jubilee, an example of faith and hope
The Vice President of the Lazio Region, Roberta Angelilli, emphasized that "the Youth Jubilee is a special and memorable event, not only for the extraordinary participation, but also for the emotional and collective participation.
He underscored the beauty of seeing people from all countries united in one city and recalled that, through the Jubilee, young people become "formidable witnesses of peace, faith and hope".
During the round of questions at the press conference, the environmental impact of the event generated particular interest. The organizers assured that great efforts have been made to reduce the negative impact and it is expected that the materials invested in the structures prepared for the Jubilee will be reused for other events in the future.
Dates of the Youth Jubilee
The young people participating in the Jubilee will arrive in Rome on Monday, July 28. Hundreds of accommodations have been prepared in parishes, sports centers, religious centers, host families and hotels to cope with the arrival of so many people.
On July 29 at 7:00 p.m., a welcoming Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter's Square. On July 30 and 31, the young people will be able to participate in various cultural activities in the city of Rome, and on Friday, July 1, the aforementioned Penitential Day will be celebrated.
Saturday, August 2, will be a day of entertainment, music and testimonies, until the vigil with Pope Leo XIV begins at 8:30 p.m. at Tor Vergata. On Sunday at 9 a.m. the Holy Father will preside the Holy Mass with all the young people, in a moment that will be both a farewell and a missionary sending forth.
All the information on the Youth Jubilee can be found at the web page enabled for this purpose.
