Pope Leo XIV has received a rock star's welcome at the Vatican’s festival of Catholic influencers. He met Tuesday with priests, nuns and ordinary faithful who use their social media presence to preach and teach the faith.

Let us hope that all of you will always be a sign of hope for the whole world,' said the Holy Father, this time speaking in Italian.

The Vatican is welcoming more than a thousand social media influencers to Rome this week for an event intended to shape a new generation of Catholic missionaries.