Pope Leo XIV made a surprise video appearance during a rave held outside St. Elizabeth Cathedral in Kosice, Slovakia, during a celebration of Archbishop Bernard Bober’s 75th birthday. The event, held on November 8, featured a concert-style setup with lasers, smoke effects, and a DJ booth, where Padre Guilherme, known as the ‘DJ priest,’ performed an unreleased track titled ‘Dear Young People’ from his upcoming EP ‘Integral Ecology.’
The Pope’s message, which was shared on social media by Padre Guilherme with the caption ‘Electronic music, faith and Pope Leo XIV message,’ went viral over the weekend. The footage showed the pontiff appearing via a projection onto the cathedral walls as the DJ performed his track, with lasers and spotlights illuminating the facade. The message, in which the Pope welcomed the crowd and praised the cathedral as a ‘beating heart of faith and hope,’ was quickly shared by fans and media outlets, sparking widespread discussion about the fusion of religious and modern cultural elements.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, is the 267th head of the Catholic Church and the first American to hold the role. Since assuming the papacy, he has emphasized cultural engagement, using the arts to promote religious values. His choice of films, including ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Life is Beautiful,’ reflects his appreciation for the ‘best of the human spirit.’ The event underscores his commitment to reaching younger generations through innovative and inclusive methods, blending tradition with contemporary entertainment.