At a rave held outside St. Elizabeth Cathedral in Kosice, Slovakia, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise video appearance during a celebration marking the 75th birthday of Archbishop Bernard Bober. The event, which included a concert-style setup with lasers, smoke effects, and projection screens, featured performances by Padre Guilherme, a priest known for his electronic music sets that blend techno with sacred and folk elements.
The Pope’s video message, which appeared on the cathedral walls during the DJ set, was shared widely on social media by Padre Guilherme, who captioned the post: “Electronic music, faith and Pope Leo XIV message.” The footage showed the pontiff addressing the crowd as he performed his unreleased single “Dear Young People,” from his upcoming EP “Integral Ecology.” This unique approach to spreading the Church’s message has sparked both admiration and curiosity among young Catholics and music enthusiasts.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, became the 267th Pope earlier this year and is the first American to assume the papacy. His leadership has emphasized a more inclusive and modern approach to religious engagement. The Pope’s recent Letterboxd post, listing his favorite films and highlighting their reflection of the “best of the human spirit,” underscores his commitment to cultural dialogue as a means of promoting faith in contemporary society.