The year 2025 is exceptional – Pope Leo XIV declared it as the Holy Jubilee Year, during which Christians from all over the world are invited to spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and a new beginning. One of the highlights of this year was the Jubilee of Youth, where over a million young people from around the world gathered in Rome at the turn of July and August. Together, they prayed, shared their faith, and celebrated life with Christ – the culmination was an evening vigil and the final mass with the Pope at a place called Tor Vergata.
The Czech Republic was not left behind. Ten buses left from the Czech Republic, and many other young people flew in by plane. Preparations for this event took place long months in advance – and it showed. The Czech group could boast its own accompanying program, which is definitely not a given in other countries. Every day, mass, catechesis, and communal prayers led by our bishops were held at the Czech center (in the parish of Santa Maria Regina Mundi). The atmosphere was particularly special on two evenings: a benefit adoration and a penitential service with the possibility of receiving the sacrament of reconciliation.
Despite the fact that the accommodation for the Czech group was almost 2.5 hours away from the center of events (for reference, it would be like having the meeting in Prague while we slept in Brno), it did not deter us. On the contrary – traveling became part of the adventure. In addition to the main points of the program, we managed to visit corners of Rome and walk through the holy doors of the four main basilicas, as traditionally done during the Jubilee Year. Included was a Czech mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls – a powerful encounter that left a deep spiritual mark on many.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the youth during the meeting to hold on to Jesus as their greatest hope – He who awakens in us the desire for a deep and meaningful life. He urged us not to rest on our laurels but to strive for holiness right where we are, and to spread the light we draw from our friendship with Christ in the world around us.
Included in the whole experience are those funny and unforgettable moments that life itself wrote (and sometimes even the Roman public transport). Among them were instances like missing night buses, trains that refused to depart due to being overloaded with pilgrims, or good deeds in the form of generous support for local Indian vendors, who showered us with smiles and terms of affection like “my friend.” And of course, we must not forget the buses that literally burst at the seams – not only from the pressure of people but also from the voices, laughter, and singing in all possible languages. That is Rome; that is the church – colorful, lively, and sometimes quite noisy. And beautiful.
Great thanks go to all who participated in the organization – those who prepared the Czech program, led masses, sang, took care of logistics, translated, prayed, or just willingly helped where needed. This event was a significant work of human effort – but above all, of God’s grace, which was almost palpable throughout.
Veronika Vaňková – coordinator of pilgrimages to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth for the Diocese of České Budějovice
Photos HERE
