STORY: Hundreds of thousands of young Catholics poured into Tor Vergata on the outskirts of Rome on Saturday (August 2) for the final stretch of the Jubilee of Youth, a two-day gathering set to feature Pope Leo in two landmark appearances.

The pontiff is due to fly in by helicopter to lead an evening vigil, returning to the same vast field where Saint John Paul II drew more than a million pilgrims during the Jubilee of 2000.

Many of the faithful are bedding down under the stars overnight, staking out spots ahead of Sunday’s 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) Mass, the closing highlight of the event.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: ROME, ITALY (AUGUST 2, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF YOUNG CATHOLIC PILGRIMS CAMPING OUT AT TOR VERGATA

2. MAN LOOKING ON

3. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS CAMPING OUT

4. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS HAVING LUNCH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) PILGRIM (NO NAME GIVEN), SAYING:

"We are ready, we are super hyped for this youth jubilee, we love each other, thanks for this trip."

6. GIRL EATING SANDWICH

7. PILGRIMS SLEEPING

8. LUNCH BOXES ON THE GROUND

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PILGRIM FROM TUSCANY, MAYA REMORINI, SAYING:

"So, we set off this morning at 5 a.m. and walked here, we got in line and then came in. For me, it is an incredible emotion because I had never been to an event like this before, so being here in front, seeing the stage so close, is truly a unique feeling. I am very happy."

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPANISH PILGRIM FROM MADRID, CARLOTTA, SAYING:

"It is exciting to see so many young people living their faith the way we do. And seeing that we’re all here for a purpose, it’s really beautiful."

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PILGRIM FROM ZAMBIA, MORGAN PHIRI, SAYING:

"It is important because at the end of the day we come together as one from different congregations, from different countries, and then we just do different languages. We don't even understand each other sometimes, but here we are, very happy, exchanging things, exchanging greetings, smiles, that's all that matters. Even though you're not religious, this is a very important gathering because we come together as one and we celebrate together as one. We are one people."

12. PILGRIMS SLEEPING ON THE GROUND

13. PILGRIMS

14. VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS AT SITE

15. MAN SITTING

16. VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS CAMPING OUT

17. PILGRIMS WAVING AT CAMERA

18. PEOPLE AT THE ALTAR