40,000 young Italians converged for the Jubilee event titled “You Are Peter,” a gathering dedicated to peacemaking as part of the Jubilee of Youth.
Newsroom (01/08/2025, Gaudium Press) On a vibrant evening in St. Peter’s Square, 40,000 young Italians converged for the Jubilee event titled “You Are Peter,” a gathering dedicated to peacemaking as part of the Jubilee of Youth. The event, marked by music, Scripture readings, and personal testimonies of faith, was led by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, and featured a poignant videomessage from Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
“Feel embraced this evening by the entire Church, which looks upon the freshness and spontaneity of your lives with joy, sympathy, and trust,” Cardinal Zuppi told the crowd during the rite of profession of faith. His words set the tone for an evening that combined spiritual reflection with a powerful call for peace in a world scarred by conflict.
A Call to Disarm Hearts
In his homily, Cardinal Zuppi responded to both Cardinal Pizzaballa’s videomessage and the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus entrusts Peter with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Quoting a stark warning—“Humanity must put an end to war, or war will put an end to humanity”—Zuppi decried the proliferation of weapons that destroy lives and infrastructure, including hospitals. “The Church stands under the Cross, eyes full of tears and a heart wounded by such immense suffering,” he said, lamenting the countless deaths and ongoing wars.
Zuppi invoked the words of Pope Leo XIV, who, shortly after his election, called for a peace that is “unarmed and disarming.” Building on this, he issued a heartfelt plea: “Let us disarm our hearts, so we can disarm the hearts and hands of a violent world—to heal its wounds and prevent new conflicts!” He expressed alarm at a global culture that normalizes enmity and indifference, particularly toward the devastating potential of nuclear weapons.
A Message of Hope from Jerusalem
In his video message from Jerusalem, Cardinal Pizzaballa spoke of the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine is spreading amid ongoing destruction. “The pain is real, and we can’t deny it,” he said, describing a “night that never ends.” Yet, he emphasized the importance of faith in such times, urging the faithful to bring comfort and consolation to those suffering.
Pizzaballa highlighted the “bearers of light” in Gaza and Israel—charities, religious groups, and volunteers of all faiths—who refuse to succumb to despair. These individuals and organizations, he said, embody a Jubilee spirit, choosing “us together” over “me and no one else.” They serve as beacons of hope, working to rebuild both physical structures and the social fabric torn apart by conflict.
“We need to look to them,” Pizzaballa urged, “to prepare for the moment when we must rebuild destroyed buildings and mend the torn social fabric.” He stressed the Church’s role in fostering dialogue, even through difficult conversations, as exemplified by the early Apostles. “Like Peter,” he said, “we are called to speak a word that builds, that opens up new horizons, that creates opportunities for trust.”
A Night of Faith and Commitment
The evening in St. Peter’s Square was not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action for the young attendees. The spiritual closeness to those in conflict zones underscored the event’s theme of peacemaking, resonating deeply with the audience. Through music, prayer, and shared stories, the gathering reinforced the Church’s mission to stand in solidarity with the suffering and to work tirelessly for a more just and peaceful world.
As the Jubilee of Youth continues, the messages of Cardinals Zuppi and Pizzaballa serve as a powerful reminder of the Church’s enduring commitment to peace, unity, and hope in the face of global challenges.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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