Around one million young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Rome
As Pope Leo arrived, they chanted ecstatically, in anticipation of his words of wisdom
On stage, he closed out his first jubilee. His call was for unity and peace in great times of suffering
We are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils
which are caused by other human beings. We are with the young people of Gaza
We are with the young people of Ukraine. With those of every land bloodied by war
It was the culmination of a week of activities throughout Rome that attracted young pilgrims from over 140 countries
Saturday night's vigil was one of the highlights. Dubbed the Catholic Woodstock by local media
it featured entertainment from two dozen musical and dance groups, after which thousands had camped out overnight for the Sunday morning mass
It's just amazing to see just how big the World Church is
and how many people are here just believing in God. I'm actually converting, so I'm not Catholic yet
So the Pope gives me really hope for a new future. I hope that in the coming months and years I can get to know him better
But I have to say, I think he's stirring something in the souls of us young people
The Roman Catholic Jubilee is a holy year that takes place roughly every 25 years
This youth pilgrimage was organised just three months into the start of Leo's Papacy