From July 27 to August 3, Rome welcomed up to a million Catholics from 146 countries for the young people, placed under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. A diocesan organization has enabled more than 200 Romands de Lausanne, Geneva and Friborg to live this unique experience, expected for a quarter of a century.
“It is extraordinary, because since we have arrived, we meet entire crowds of Christians who flock around the world, with a fervor and a desire to share,” says Bénédicte Jaggi, pastoral agent of the Saint-Denis unit in Veveyse, who accompanies a group of seven young Friborgers.
For his son Alaric, 18, the discovery of the eternal city during the holy year was striking: “When you pray at home, you sometimes feel alone. And there, you realize that you are thousands, even hundreds of thousands of young people of the same age to live the same faith.”
Among the most striking moments for him so far, the opening mass on Saint-Pierre, Black of the world on Tuesday. “I have simply never seen so many people gathered in the same place, it can also surprise!”
The last time Rome experienced an exceptional influx of young Catholics dates back to the summer of 2000, during the World Youth Days as part of the Grand Jubilee. This event brought together around 2 million young people from around the world on the Tor Vergata site for the vigil and the final mass with Pope John Paul II.
A generation in search of hope
The theme of hope particularly resonates among these young people. “We are a fairly anxious generation, with all the wars around us,” says Faustine, 21, sister of Alaric. “We are not alone, even if sometimes we have this impression, behind our phones.”
Special fact, the holy year was proclaimed by Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. Faustine keeps a strong image of the new head of the Catholic Church Léon XIV, who this week lives his first major meeting with young faithful. “We do not yet have a lot of hook with him because of the novelty of his pontificate, but we show him our support.” This is his first major meeting with young people.
Coming from Vevey, Timothée, 20 years old, underlines the community aspect: “It is interesting to see the dynamics between all these cultures. There are people from countries yet at war who have come. There is love and peace that circulates between nationalities.” In the mind of the jubilee, this Vaudois became friends with the Friborg group in the bus who took them to Rome.
This young asset also highlights the preparation upstream: registration in January, fundraising with the parishioners. “We have been waiting for this for months. And living it all together, it creates unique links.” This pilgrimage has a cost: 650 francs covering transport, accommodation and meals. Young people organized baking sales and benefited from the support of their parishes to finance their trip.
The program will continue until Sunday with a visit to the Swiss Guard and a prayer vigil on Saturday at night, as well as a closing mass chaired by Pope Leon XIV on Sunday morning. “This is a unique opportunity in a life,” concludes Faustine.
