Pope Leo XIV, the 267th head of the Catholic Church and the first American to hold the position, made a surprise video appearance during an electronic music event outside St. Elizabeth Cathedral in Kosice, Slovakia. The event, held to celebrate the 75th birthday of Archbishop Bernard Bober, featured a concert-style setup with lasers, smoke effects, and a DJ booth. Padre Guilherme, who tours internationally with electronic shows that combine techno with sacred and folk music, performed the set. The Pope’s message, shared via social media, highlighted the importance of faith and youth engagement in modern cultural contexts.
The video of the Pope’s message, which was shared by Padre Guilherme on social media with the caption “Electronic music, faith and Pope Leo XIV message,” went viral, attracting widespread attention. The footage showed the Pope appearing via a projection onto the cathedral walls as the priest performed his unreleased single “Dear Young People,” from his upcoming EP titled “Integral Ecology.” The visual effects, including lasers and projection mapping, enhanced the experience, blending traditional religious settings with contemporary entertainment.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, has emphasized cultural engagement and exploring new ways of promoting religious values through the arts since assuming the papacy earlier this year. His choices in film, including classics such as The Sound of Music and Life is Beautiful, reflect his belief in the enduring power of the human spirit. The event in Slovakia represents a significant shift in the Church’s approach to younger generations, using technology and modern media to foster faith and community.