Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, was a hit with many young people, with a style that put aside pre-prepared speeches to engage in a back and forth with big crowds and who took tough questions from them about loss of faith, abortion and sexual abuse.

Catholic educator Father Michael Tidd praises Pope Leo XIV's authentic approach to connecting with young people following Rome's massive faith gathering over the weekend.

ROME, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Pope Leo celebrated the largest event yet of his nearly three-month tenure on Sunday, encouraging a crowd of more than a million Catholic young people gathered in a field on the outskirts of Rome to spread their faith.