Pope Leo XIV joined hundreds of Vatican City employees and their families at the annual Festival of Families in the Vatican Gardens
Newsroom (08/09/2025, Gaudium Press )On Saturday evening, September 6, 2025, Pope Leo XIV joined hundreds of Vatican City employees and their families at the annual Festival of Families in the Vatican Gardens, delivering a heartfelt message on the importance of unity and faith. “We celebrate the joy of being family, of being united,” the Pope declared, captivating the crowd gathered in the piazza before the Palazzo del Governatorato.
The festival, a vibrant celebration postponed from its original May date, transformed the Vatican into a lively hub of activity. Children delighted in soap bubbles, jugglers, inflatable slides, and food stands, while spaces for drawing, coloring, games, and live music added to the festive atmosphere. Yet, the undeniable highlight was the presence of Pope Leo XIV, whose arrival sparked cheers, applause, and songs from the children of Vatican employees, many of whom had attended the Vatican Summer Center earlier this year.
Emerging from the Governorate’s main entrance, prompted by Father Franco Fontana, the Salesian priest coordinating the chaplains of the Directorates and Central Offices, the Pope took the microphone with warmth and enthusiasm. “Hello! Good evening! How wonderful to be together, especially at this family festival! It’s so nice to see all you children here: a round of applause for all of you!” he said, drawing smiles from teenagers, young children, and even infants in the crowd.
Reflecting on the essence of family, Pope Leo XIV emphasized its sacred role. “Just as your mom and dad love you, so too, when we are all gathered like this, we really love one another, because we all make up God’s family, with our brother, our best friend Jesus,” he said. He urged those present to embrace the moment with open hearts, celebrating “the gift of life, the gift of family that the Lord has given us.”
A Call to Witness
Addressing the parents directly, the Pope underscored the vital role of families in today’s world. “This witness of families is so important in our world today!” he affirmed. “I thank all of you for this witness and for your presence tonight, and for everything you do—sometimes with great sacrifice—to live united as a family, giving this message and thus sharing in the spirit that Jesus Christ has left us.”
The Holy Father led the gathering in reciting the Hail Mary, offering a special blessing to all present. He was joined by Governor Sister Raffaella Petrini, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, and three Cardinals: emeritus presidents Fernando Vérgez Alzaga and Giuseppe Bertello, and Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, emeritus Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, whom the Pope called “a special gift.”
A Personal Touch
Following his address, Pope Leo XIV spent nearly an hour mingling with the families, moving through the courtyard to offer hugs, blessings, handshakes, and photos. A particularly memorable moment came when he received a Margherita pizza with mozzarella artfully arranged to spell “Long live Pope Leo XIV.” The Pope also posed for pictures with entertainers and jugglers before returning to his residence.
The evening encapsulated a profound sense of joy and togetherness, embodying the Pope’s message of family as a cornerstone of faith and community. For those in attendance, the Festival of Families was not just a celebration but a powerful reminder of their shared witness in the heart of the Vatican.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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