Frenzy erupted in Lima Square with the arrival of Pope Leo XIV and thousands of people welcomed the Pontiff with applause, chants, and flags waving in the wind, in an image of fervor that overflowed every corner of the venue.
Emotion overcame the faithful, many of whom had arrived from different parts of the country and the world to experience this historic moment up close.
The Prayer Vigil gathered tens of thousands of young people in a celebration that blended music, testimonies, faith, and a papal message that left a deep impression among attendees.
Long before Leo XIV’s arrival, the atmosphere was already festive. On the stage set up in Lima Square, some of the best-known names of the new generation of Catholic artists and influencers paraded.
The capital of Catholicism
The evening’s host was Guillén Climent, accompanied by rapper and missionary Aisha Ruah. “Today Madrid is not just another city. It is the capital of the Catholic Church worldwide,” Climent proclaimed before a crowd that responded with shouts, applause, and cheers.
Music paved the way for the evening. Lola Tuduri was in charge of kicking off the event with her songs and giving voice to the enthusiasm of a generation that recognizes itself in the Pope’s call. Afterwards, Ignacio Serrano took over, another voice that emerged from the Hakuna youth movement and who now triumphs solo.
Later, it was Depol’s turn, who made thousands of young people sing along to some of his most popular songs, including Quién diría, chanted in unison by the crowd.
Antonio José, winner of La Voz, also took the stage, while one of the most celebrated moments of the night came with the performance of Siloé, headliner of the vigil.
The group asked attendees to put away their mobile phones and raise their hands to fully enjoy the music and the shared moment, a request that was enthusiastically received by the audience.
Testimonies of faith
Another particularly emotional moment came with the performance of the song by Beret and Mr. Rain, inspired by mental health and hope in the face of difficulties.
Its verses, which speak of small raindrops capable of saving the world from the storm and walking alongside those who suffer, found a special echo among the attendees.
During the evening, testimonies were also heard, such as that of Claudia, a young woman from a family where faith was lived at a distance, who recounted her process of converting to Catholicism.
“I always felt there was something because I felt things inside. A close family friend fell ill and died. Then, my mother asked us to be baptized. I met Roberto, who is my husband, and I saw how he lived his faith. I felt we were called to walk together. I decided to look for a parish to be baptized,” recounted this young woman, who is now expecting her first child.
The confessions of the believers were interspersed with the recitation of the rosary by all attendees. Fabián, a 33-year-old man, was another Catholic who recounted his experience of faith and how he discovered that social media was a perfect medium to speak of the truth.
“Going on a mission with my parish to the Dominican Republic and seeing the misery was understanding that Christ was there. I am not in this world to experience how much fun I have on a plan, but to say that I am loving the world. I am just a Christian, which means serving until it hurts, looking at the heart and not just the face. Glory is not followers or likes but loving,” he emphasized.
The Pope’s message
But all the music and celebration took a backseat when Leo XIV appeared. The Pontiff was received with a thunderous ovation and took the floor to address the thousands of young people gathered before him.
“Greetings to all of you. Thank you for sharing the faith with all of Madrid and all of Spain. Never be afraid to live a vocation, to the priestly life, and to other services in the Church,” were the first words of the Holy Father.
The Pope listened to the questions posed by two young people: Marina and María José. The first asked him about his role models and the second about his time as a missionary in Peru.
In his speech, Leo XIV recalled the figures of Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Thomas of Villanueva, and Saint Toribius of Mogrovejo, examples of commitment, evangelization and service to the most needy. His references to these saints aroused the enthusiasm of those present, but there was one moment that stood out above all.
He also recalled his time as a missionary with very poor but faith-rich communities in Peru. “The word of the Lord can turn conflict into peace and can be a source of reconciliation,” declared the Pope amidst cheers of “Long live the Pope, long live the Pope”.
Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, welcomed the Holy Father with an emotional speech. “Holy Father, here you have young people who come with the thirst of those who seek Christ, His Church, and the embrace of a fraternity that gives meaning to their lives,” he stated.
The cardinal also wanted to turn his gaze towards those who suffer. He remembered “the migrants who bring with them stories of struggle and hope” and so many young people affected by precariousness, loneliness, or uncertainty.
His most heartfelt words were dedicated to those going through extreme situations: “We are especially pained by the suffering of those who have lost hope in life and see suicide as a way out,” he concluded.