The Vitae Fest 2025 took place in Rome, gathering young people, artists and communities all under one theme: “Don’t Burn Bridges, Become One.” The music festival has the aim of promoting reconciliation with oneself and with others by way of artistic expression, electronic music and shared experiences: the language of many young people around the world. The initiative is part of Vitae’s wider mission of using art and mainstream artists as an instrument for dialogue with young people to feel included and renew their spirituality.
Luis Quinelli is the Co-Founder of the Vitae Global Foundation. He explained:
“The Goal is to invite people to enter into a journey of faith. We are sending a message of reconciliation and, you know in this day of so many conflicts, possibly more than ever. We are sending a message of reconciliation to stop fighting, stop dividing, to stop hating, and it’s based on the ministry of reconciliation, that is Jesus Christ.
The festival took place at Parco Schuster, right next to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Quinelli added:
“It’s not a coincidence, you know, we are inspired by St. Paul he had the capacity of talking in the same cultural language of different people, different cultures, different nations. And that is the idea of this festival. We are talking to a different nation. A nation of kids that don’t know anything about Jesus so we are talking their languages.”
Bridging the worlds of secular music and faith is Father DJ Guilherme, a priest who also spins electronic tracks as a DJ. He went viral during the World Youth Day in Portugal, captivating and surprising audiences across the globe.
Through his music, he connects phrases from the bible, encyclicals, iconography and videos of Popes in electronic music. And here, the youth are excited.
He explained his unconventional path at becoming a DJ after years as a Military priest in Afghanistan and Kosovo:
“In 2010, I was in Afghanistan. And I was organizing not only religious events but also cultural events for militaries so they could relax with music. Someone told me there was a sniper who was a good DJ. And so I spoke with him and I invited him to organize a party with the military so they relax a bit inside the military camp. He accepted the challenge. When I saw him play, I didn’t even know what he was doing, I just thought this is amazing! That was the moment I said to myself I said ok, I need to learn how to do this.
“When I finished the missions as a military priest I started the DJ school and some of my teachers now work with me on this project also, it’s incredible!”
Anna and her friends are young Romans and Catholics, and they were thrilled to be at the concert, because it’s the music of their generation – but they also see it as an opportunity, a chance to include and unite people that perhaps have yet to begin their spiritual journey.
“We’re handing out these flyers,” Anna explained, “these are little books where it’s written about the hope we have in Jesus and God. And that’s what this is all about. It’s about God, it’s about hope and it’s about happiness. In a world and a history where everything is really sad. This time in history in particular is kind of hard for us, but we have hope which is God.”
The co-founder of Vitae tells us that Gen Z represents a real window of opportunity for the growth of the Church:
“They are spiritually curious. They are rationally and emotionally near to the church because they are interested in history and mystery. And the church is full of that. That is why there is growth in the church. Especially in men, young men and they are very sensitive to the arts. It’s a special generation. It’s a wind of opportunity for the church, Gen Z.”
Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Sergio Natoli; Video Edited by Giada D’Ottavi.
