A group of local teenagers travelled to Italy for 10 days on a journey dubbed “Destination Rome” to participate in the Jubilee of Youth which culminated in a Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 3, 2025.
The teens were from St. William Parish in Naples and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. Deacon James Jenkins, one of the adult chaperones from St. William, wrote on the final day of the journey: “What an awesome experience our ‘Destination Rome Youth’ had on Day 9 as they celebrated Mass with Pope Leo, joined by one million youth from around the world!!”
Lindie Ross, Youth Coordinator at Epiphany Cathedral, wrote on social media: “Heading Home with Full Hearts! After an unforgettable journey in Assisi and Rome for the Jubilee of Young People 2025, the youth … are preparing to return home to America — forever changed by the experience. They walked as ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ encountered Christ in new ways, deepened their faith, and united with thousands of young Catholics from around the world. Though the pilgrimage ends, the mission continues.”
The Jubilee of Youth, held July 28 through Aug. 3, is now the most-attended event during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, with an estimated 1 million young adults, teens, and their chaperones flocking to Rome from 146 countries.
Young Catholics began arriving at the site of the vigil on Aug. 2, at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, 10 miles east of the city. Many of the St. William and Epiphany group made it to the site on foot, where they braved sun, humidity, and temperatures in the upper 80s during an afternoon listening to live performances and the personal stories of young people from different countries. The group stayed all night in anticipation of the closing Mass with Pope Leo.
Arriving by helicopter for the Mass, the Pope rode in the popemobile throughout the open areas dotted with tents and tarps, and filled with young people cheering, waving their nation’s flag, and sometimes tossing shirts and other gifts as he passed by. In this way, the youth from St. William and Epiphany Cathedral were able to get a close-up view of the American Pope.
“Good morning!” he said in six languages from the massive stage set up for the Mass. “I hope you all rested a little bit,” he said in English. “We will shortly begin the greatest celebration that Christ left us: his very presence in the Eucharist.”
Pope Leo said he hoped the concluding Mass would be “a truly memorable occasion for each and every one of us” because “when together, as Christ’s church, we follow, we walk together, we live with Jesus Christ.”
During that Mass, the Holy Father said the fullness of life depends on how much one joyfully welcomes and shares in life while also living with a constant yearning for those things that only come from God.
“Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are,” the Holy Father said. “Do not settle for less. You will then see the light of the Gospel growing every day, in you and around you.”
From moments of prayer and praise to friendship, laughter, and awe-inspiring encounters, the youth from Naples and Venice experienced joy and unity while sharing their deep faith with fellow young Catholics from around the globe.
While in Rome, the group prayed together at iconic churches, walked in the footsteps of the saints, and enjoyed a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. Highlights of their Rome visit included seeing the bones of St. Philip and St. James the Lesser, and the Tomb of St. Ignatius of Loyola. They also visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and viewed the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint who will be canonized a saint on Sept. 7 by Pope Leo.
The group also visited Assisi. There, they made an hour and a half hike uphill, which brought them to Eremo delle Carceri, the hermitage of St. Francis and then a return to the Basilica of St. Francis where they viewed a 1st Degree Relic of Blessed Carlos Acutis. They also attended Mass at the tomb of St. Francis.
Prior to leaving for Rome, the young pilgrims took part in a Mass at St. William, where they were blessed and prayers were offered for a holy and safe journey.
It should be noted, the faithful helped cover some of the costs of the pilgrimage and offered daily prayers for the youth throughout the trip. Photos were regularly posted to social media from Rome to allow those in Naples to remotely participate in the faith journey with the pilgrims.
Information from Catholic News Service and Our Sunday Visitor were used in this report.
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Father Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. After high school, he moved south to attend Ave Maria University where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Political Economy and Government. After working in business for several years and earning a master’s degree in systems engineering from Penn State University, he heard more clearly God’s call to holiness and discerned his vocation to the priesthood, completing his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and a theology degree at the Gregorian University in Rome. He is currently studying at the Angelicum University in Rome. He has completed summer assignments at several Parishes in the Diocese of Venice, including St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, St. William in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers. Father will assist at various Parishes throughout the summer before returning to Rome to complete his studies in dogmatic and fundamental theology.
Father Gwynn was born and raised in Palmetto. He was baptized by Father Teofilo Useche, the current pastor of his home Parish, Holy Cross, and confirmed there by Bishop Dewane. A graduate of Palmetto High School, he went on to study at St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. As a Diocesan seminarian, Father Gwynn has had summer assignments at the following Parishes: St. William in Naples, St. Agnes in Naples; Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice; and Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, and Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, the latter where he served a pastoral year. He currently serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and looks forward to becoming a Navy chaplain following five years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Venice. Father’s first assignment will be as Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples.
The second of six children, Father Long grew up in Sarasota, graduating from St. Martha Catholic School and later Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. He earned a degree in marketing from Florida State University and before discerning his vocation to the priesthood, enjoyed a career in marketing in the health care industry. Father Long has always been active in the Church, as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Religious Education teacher, youth group leader and Pro-Life volunteer. He credits his active participation in the Church to leading him to hear God’s call to the priesthood. He completed his theological studies at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian for the Diocese, he served summer assignments at Incarnation Parish, St. Martha Parish and St. Thomas More Parish. Additionally, he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Nebraska, later participating in a Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Guatemala. His first assignment as a priest will be as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lakewood Ranch.
