STORY: Pope Leo XIV welcomed on Saturday (October 18) pilgrims from the Roma, Sinti and Traveller communities to the Vatican, on the occasion of the jubilee event dedicated to them.

The pope addressed the crowd by calling them "beloved portion of God's pilgrim people," remembering that the Catholic Church, "by its very nature, is in solidarity with those who are poor, excluded and marginalised."

Leo also answered some questions from the youth, including one from a child who asked him if a world without war is possible.

"I believe it is possible, and I hope that one day we will all find and see a world where peace reigns," the pontiff said.

The event, which was held in the Vatican hall dedicated to the late Pope Paul VI, featured traditional songs and dances, accompanied by the music of violins, guitars, clarinets, trumpets and drums.

Among the performances, a group of Romani artists from Spain dedicated a song to the pope, while luthier Rubino Gabrieli played a violin named 'Pope Leo', which the pontiff autographed at the end of the event.

The event was part of the Catholic Church's ongoing Holy Year, which will last until January 6, 2026. It also celebrated the 60th anniversary of Paul VI's first historic meeting with the Roma and Sinti peoples in 1965.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (OCTOBER 18, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO ENTERING PAUL VI HALL

2. POPE WALKING ON ALTAR/ POPE WAVING AT CROWD

3. CROWD TAKING PHOTOS

4. VARIOUS OF ROMANI ARTISTS FROM SPAIN SINGING TO POPE

5. CROWD APPLAUDING, WAVING FLAG

6. ROMANI SINGER FROM SPAIN HUGGING POPE

7. CROWD APPLAUDING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

“Beloved portion of God's pilgrim people, yes, God the Father loves you and blesses you, and the Church also loves you and blesses you.”

9. CROWD APPLAUDING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (BITE CONTINUES ON NEXT SHOT):

“The heart of the Church, by its very nature, is in solidarity with those who are poor, excluded and marginalised, with those who are considered a reject of society.”

11. CROWD LISTENING

12. CROWD APPLAUDING

13. POPE LISTENING TO CHILD SPEAKING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) UNIDENTIFIED CHILD SAYING (BITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT):

“Good morning, Pope Leo, I wanted to tell you something. Can we children grow up in a world without war?”

15. TOP VIEW OF POPE ANSWERING QUESTION

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (BITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT):

“It is very important for children, but also for us adults. We all want to live in a world without war.”

17. CHILDREN APPLAUDING

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

“I believe it is possible, and I hope that one day we will all find and see a world where peace reigns, and where we can all live in peace. Thank you.”

19. CROWD APPLAUDING

20. POPE GIVING BLESSING

21. CROWD APPLAUDING

22. LUTHIER, RUBINO GABRIELI, PLAYING VIOLIN NAMED “POPE LEO”

23. CHORISTERS SINGING

24. GABRIELI PLAYING

25. VARIOUS OF POPE SIGNING AUTOGRAPH ON VIOLIN

26. VARIOUS OF ARTISTS OF ELIJAH ASSOCIATION PERFORMING

27. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

28. VARIOUS OF MUSICIANS OF ELIJAH ASSOCIATION PLAYING