In a striking blend of faith and contemporary culture, the Vatican on Saturday celebrated the 75th birthday of Archbishop Bernard Bober with a large outdoor rave held outside the iconic St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Košice, Slovakia.
Organisers said Pope Leo XIV personally approved the unconventional celebration, which featured a popular priest-DJ headlining the event. The electrifying gathering drew thousands of young people to the cathedral square, transforming the historic site into a vibrant festival of music and spirituality.
A special video message from the Pope was broadcast on a massive screen overlooking the crowd, setting a reflective tone before the celebration shifted into an energetic display of electronic dance music infused with spiritual themes.
Attendees described the event as a “fusion of faith and festival culture,” praising its ability to connect with younger generations in a fresh, relatable way.
Observers note that the celebration aligns with the Pope’s broader efforts to modernise the Church’s engagement with youth. The impressive turnout in Košice is being hailed as a promising sign of renewed interest and participation among young Catholics across the region.
