Kati Dijane: Jubilee of the Youth in Rome rejuvenated my digital missionary work

by Kati Dijane · September 4, 2025

Kati Dijane in Rome for the Jubilee of the Youth

By Kati Dijane – August 26, 2025, marked exactly one month since I stepped off a 14-hour flight from Johannesburg and set foot in Rome for the Jubilee of the Youth. I was part of a group of 37 pilgrims representing the Archdioceses of Pretoria and Johannesburg, the Diocese of Kimberley and the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein. For months, we had been preparing virtually, but the moment we landed in the Eternal City, our digital chats turned into real bonds of friendship.

For me, the pilgrimage was a spiritual journey that reawakened my sense of purpose as a digital missionary.

First days in the Eternal City

The Roman summer heat hit us as soon as we landed, a welcome escape from the winter chill back home. Our hotel was conveniently close to the Basilica of St Mary Major, and it became a place of prayer and retreat for me. Walking through its Holy Door and pausing to pray felt like the perfect way to begin my journey.

I shared a room with two pilgrims from Bloemfontein, Pontseng and Nthabiseng. They became instant sisters on the journey, and our late-night conversations (when I was wasn’t dead asleep) added joy to the trip.

The next day, our South African delegation celebrated an opening Mass at the Generalate of the Comboni Missionaries. Father Lebogang Seane from Kimberley preached a powerful homily, reminding us that this Jubilee was not just about travel but about deepening our mission of faith. Later that day, I joined thousands in St Peter’s Square for the Angelus with Pope Leo XIV. The square was a sea of flags and youthful energy and when the pope reflected on Luke 11:1–13, reminding us that the Our Father unites us all as God’s children, I felt renewed.

Afterwards, I collected my Jubilee pack for digital missionaries at the Vatican News office. Meeting Br Andrew, a South Korean seminarian influencer, and Franco Aurelio Fernandez from @thefrancotv was surreal. These were people I had admired online, and now we were sharing the same mission in person.

The Jubilee of digital missionaries

July 28, 2025, was historic — the first-ever Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Social Media Influencers. Held at the Auditorium Conciliazione near St Peter’s Basilica, the gathering brought together creators, communicators and evangelisers from across the globe.

Dr Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, reminded us that while the internet connects us, what truly binds us is God. “The Church has always been a network,” he said, “but not one made of code or content — it is made of people.” His words struck me deeply, a call to use digital spaces responsibly and humbly.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, also challenged us: “You are not only content creators. You are witnesses. You are not just building platforms; you are building bridges.”

Hearing from figures like Katie Prejean McGrady and Lila Rose and listening to the stories of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, reminded me that digital influence must ultimately point people toward Christ.

The day was filled with encounters, conversations and meals shared with people who, like me, wanted to use their phones and platforms for good. For once, scrolling through my feed felt like a true communion of faith.

Mass with Cardinal Tagle

The following day, July 29, a thousand of us joined in procession through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica before celebrating Mass with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation.

His homily was both inspiring and sobering. He reminded us that missionaries today face toxic influences: manipulation in advertising, corruption in politics and violence in society; however, our task is to bring hope. “You are not only influencers,” he said firmly, “you are also missionaries.”

After Mass, we eagerly awaited Pope Leo XIV. When he arrived, his presence electrified the basilica. He encouraged us to see our phones not just as tools, but as modern pulpits from which the Gospel can shine.

That evening, the Vatican Gardens provided a quiet space of prayer before Risorgimento Square transformed into a festival of music and joy. Catholic musicians, including DJ Padre Guilherme, kept thousands of us dancing late into the night. It was evangelisation with a beat, which was joyful, youthful and alive.

Meeting the Pope at the Wednesday General Audience

One of the most moving moments came during the Wednesday General Audience on July 30. Pope Leo reflected on the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus heals a man who was deaf and mute. The pope reminded us that many people today live isolated and voiceless, wounded by life. But just as Jesus said, “Ephphatha — be opened,” we too are invited to open our hearts and help others to hear God’s love.

His compassion extended beyond Rome, as he prayed for victims of a brutal terrorist attack during the night of July 26 to 27 in Komanda, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where more than forty Christians were killed in church during a prayer vigil and in their own homes. That moment of global solidarity reminded me that digital missionaries carry a responsibility not only to share good news but also to amplify the cries of the suffering.

Walking with the saints

One highlight was visiting the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis at Chiesa di San Marcello al Corso and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, near the Pantheon. At Carlo’s shrine, we were invited to write down prayer intentions that would be taken to his tomb in Assisi. Carlo, who once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven,” has always inspired my digital ministry.

At Pier Giorgio’s shrine, I prayed for courage to live with the same joy and compassion that earned him the title “the man of the Beatitudes.” And yes, the famous microphone I use for my missionary work was prayed for over his tomb!

A Night of prayer and a morning of hope

Saturday, August 2, took us to Tor Vergata, where over a million young people gathered for an all-night vigil. Flags waved, songs rang out and the atmosphere was electric.

When Pope Leo arrived in his popemobile, joy erupted. He then carried the Jubilee Cross to the stage, accompanied by youth from around the world. During his address, he challenged us: “Do you want to encounter the Risen Lord? Listen to His Word, seek justice, serve the poor, remain united with Jesus in the Eucharist.”

We then entered into Eucharistic Adoration with the pope and millions of young people. For me, this was the pinnacle of the pilgrimage — silent prayer before Jesus, united with the universal Church. It was a moment of peace and hope, a moment to pray for Southern Africa, my home.

The next morning, August 3, more than 7000 priests, 400 bishops and 25 cardinals concelebrated the closing Mass with the pope. In his homily, he said: “Jesus is our hope… it is he who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives.” He urged us to remain faithful in prayer, Eucharist, and charity, following the examples of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Before the end of Mass, the Pope invited young people to the World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027. “After this Jubilee, the ‘pilgrimage of hope’ continues for young people and will take us to Asia! I renew the invitation that Pope Francis extended in Lisbon two years ago: young people from all over the world will gather together with the Successor of Peter to celebrate World Youth Day in Seoul, Korea, from August 3 to 8, 2027. This Day will have as its theme, ‘Take courage: I have conquered the world!’”

After seeing many clergies from around the world, I was happy to see His Grace, Archbishop Franklyn AteseNubuasah SVD from Gabarone Diocese, whom I asked to give Southern Africa a shoutout. https://www.tiktok.com/@fareastrandcatholicnews/video/7534412769538477317

Reflections on a Renewed Mission

Pilgrimages always leave an indelible mark, but this Jubilee of the Youth was different. It not only connected me with the global Church but also recharged my calling as a digital missionary.

I returned home with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and, most importantly, a renewed desire to serve Christ online and offline. I will continue to make use of my laptop and phones as tools of evangelisation, bridges to hope and instruments of God’s love.

As for me, I cannot wait for the next global encounter with young people and have started counting down to the next World Youth Day in 2027. See you in Seoul.