Pope thrills hundreds of thousands of young Catholics at Holy Year youth festival

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV urged hundreds of thousands of young people on Saturday to have the courage to make radical choices to do good, as he presided over his first big encounter with the next generation of Catholics during the highlight of the Vatican’s 2025 Holy Year.

Leo encountered a sea of people as he arrived by helicopter at the Tor Vergata field on Rome’s outskirts for a vigil service of the Jubilee of Youth. Hailing from early 150 countries, the pilgrims had set up campsites on the field for the night, as misting trucks and water cannons spritzed them to cool them down from the 30C (85F) temperatures.

Leo displayed his fluency in speaking to the kids in Spanish, Italian and English about the dangers of social media, the value of true friendship and the need to have courage to make radical choices like marriage or religious vows.

“Friendship can really change the world. Friendship is a path to peace,” he said. “How much the world needs missionaries of the Gospel who are witnesses of justice and peace!”

But history's first American pope also alerted them to some tragic news: Two young people who had made the pilgrimage to Rome had died, one reportedly of cardiac arrest, while a third was hospitalized, Leo told the crowd during the vigil service.

Leo was to return to the field for an early morning Mass on Sunday morning to close out the celebration.

For the past week, these bands of young Catholics from around the world have poured into Rome for their special Jubilee celebration, in a Holy Year in which 32 million people are expected to descend on the Vatican to participate in a centuries-old pilgrimage to the seat of Catholicism.

The young people have been traipsing down cobblestoned streets in color-coordinated T-shirts, praying the Rosary and singing hymns with guitars, bongo drums and tambourines shimmying alongside. Using their flags as tarps to shield them from the sun, they have taken over entire piazzas for Christian rock concerts and inspirational talks, and stood for hours at the Circus Maximus to confess their sins to 1,000 priests offering the sacrament in a dozen different languages.

“It is something spiritual, that you can experience only every 25 years,” said Francisco Michel, a pilgrim from Mexico. “As a young person, having the chance to live this meting with the pope I feel it is a spiritual growth.”

It all has the vibe of a World Youth Day, the Catholic Woodstock festival that St. John Paul II inaugurated and made famous in Rome in 2000 at the very same Tor Vergata field. Then, before an estimated 2 million people, John Paul told the young pilgrims they were the “sentinels of the morning” at the dawn of the third millennium.

Officials had initially expected 500,000 youngsters this weekend, but Leo and organizers from the stage said the number could reach 1 million. The Vatican didn't immediately provide a final estimate.

“It’s a bit messed up, but this is what is nice about the Jubilee,” said Chloe Jobbour, a 19-year-old Lebanese Catholic who was in Rome with a group of more than 200 young members of the Community of the Beatitudes, a France-based charismatic group.

She said, for example, that it had taken two hours to get dinner at a KFC overwhelmed by orders Friday night. The Salesian school that offered her group housing is an hour away by bus. But Jobbour, like many in Rome this week, didn’t mind the discomfort: It’s all part of the experience.

“I don’t expect it to be better than that. I expected it this way,” she said, as members of her group gathered on church steps near the Vatican to sing and pray Saturday morning before heading out to Tor Vergata.

Those Romans who didn't flee the onslaught have been inconvenienced by the additional strain on the city's notoriously insufficient public transport system. Residents are sharing social media posts of outbursts by Romans at kids flooding subway platforms and crowding bus stops that have delayed and complicated their commutes to work.

But other Romans have welcomed the enthusiasm the youngsters have brought. Premier Giorgia Meloni offered a video welcome, marveling at the “extraordinary festival of faith, joy and hope” that the young people had created.

“I think it’s marvelous,” said Rome hairdresser Rina Verdone, who lives near the Tor Vergata field and woke up Saturday to find a gaggle of police outside her home as part of the massive, 4,000-strong operation mounted to keep the peace. “You think the faith, the religion is in difficulty, but this is proof that it’s not so.”

Verdone had already made plans to take an alternate route home Saturday afternoon, that would require an extra kilometer (half-mile) walk, because she feared the “invasion” of kids in her neighborhood would disrupt her usual bus route. But she said she was more than happy to make the sacrifice.

“You think of invasion as something negative. But this is a positive invasion,” she said.

AP reporter Paolo Santalucia contributed to this story.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The helicopter carrying Pope Leo XIV arrives for the prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV holds prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Leo XIV holds prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV holds prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV holds prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The helicopter carrying Pope Leo XIV arrives for the prayer vigil with young people participating in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Young people participate in the Youths Jubilee at the Tor Vergata field in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

SEATTLE (AP) — Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Doug Baldwin hyped up the famed “12th Man” crowd in Seattle, providing a throwback to the Seahawks' fearsome “Legion of Boom” teams from the 2010s.

Then, in their first playoff game in front of home fans in nearly a decade, the Seahawks found a new level of dominance.

Rashid Shaheed returned the returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Kenneth Walker III rushed for three scores and Seattle forced three turnovers in a never-in-doubt 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night that sent the top-seeded Seahawks to the NFC championship game.

“One of our most complete games, for sure,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. “(Shaheed) starting the game off like that set the tone.”

Sam Darnold threw a touchdown pass and got his first career playoff win in his first season with the Seahawks (15-3), who will host either the Chicago Bears or the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake.

The Seahawks led 7-0 13 seconds into the game thanks to Shaheed, who fielded the opening kick and took it 95 yards to the end zone. It was the fourth kickoff return for a touchdown to open a playoff game since 2000 and the longest postseason kick return in franchise history.

“I was so hyped,” defensive lineman Byron Murphy II said. “I wasn’t expecting that, but when he did it, I knew the game was over then. I already knew.”

Darnold, who had been listed as questionable because of an oblique injury, guided the Seahawks on two more scoring drives before San Francisco got on the board with the first of its two field goals. As he has all season, Darnold impressed his teammates with his toughness.

“He told us he was going to do whatever it takes to get back and play for us,” offensive lineman Grey Zabel said. “That was a gutsy performance by him, not feeling his best. He continues to just be a leader in the huddle, on the field, on the sidelines.”

After he flopped in his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings by taking nine sacks in a 27-9 loss to the Rams, Darnold completed 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in the star receiver’s playoff debut.

Seattle hadn't played in the postseason since the 2020 season, when it lost at home to the Rams with no fans in the stands because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 49ers (13-6) were never competitive in the second-most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history. San Francisco lost 49-3 to the New York Giants in the divisional round in the 1986 season.

The Niners were missing three injured All-Pros: tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa. Star left tackle Trent Williams, who played through a hamstring injury, was proud of his team for getting as far in the playoffs as it did.

“When you’re playing with guys you’re signing off the practice squad,” Williams said, “guys (you are) taking off the street — you got to temper expectations a bit.”

Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 140 yards with an interception and a lost fumble against the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense. Seattle also recovered a fumble by tight end Jake Tonges.

“Everything’s working for us, to be honest,” safety Nick Emmanwori said. “Everything’s working. We fly to the ball, we’ve got (a) great scheme, great coaches, great players. I (think) it’s hard for teams to find a way to score on us or beat us straight up.”

Walker’s three rushing touchdowns tied him with Shaun Alexander for the most in a playoff game in franchise history. Two of the scores came after halftime, and he celebrated one by chucking the ball into the crowd.

“I’d do it more,” Walker said, “but I’d get fined for it.”

Walker finished with 116 yards rushing, his most since his rookie year in 2022, and he picked up the slack after Zach Charbonnet was injured during the game. The Seahawks ran for 175 yards, their third most this season.

“You can see it, how they’re breathing, they’re tired, they’re slow to get up,” Walker said. “You can see it’s demoralizing to them.”

The Seahawks’ front seven made life difficult for Purdy, chasing him across the field while sacking him twice. With the Niners thin at receiver, Purdy scrambled five times for 37 yards and frequently threw on the run.

“It’s no secret in terms of their style of play,” Purdy said. “Trying to make a quarterback check it down and play deep to short. Then within that, have a good pass rush. That’s a good defense, man.”

49ers: RB Christian McCaffrey (stinger) was injured in the second quarter and returned in the third quarter before exiting the game for good. Tonges injured a foot and did not return.

Seahawks: Charbonnet injured a knee in the second quarter and did not return. LT Charles Cross injured a foot in the third quarter and did not return.

49ers: Heal and reload for next season.

Seahawks: Are one victory away from the fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history and first in 11 years.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) runs a kickoff return in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (99) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold reacts during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)