Celebrate Archbishop Bernard Bober’s 75th birthday with a rave outside St. Elisabeth Cathedral featuring a virtual blessing from Pope Leo on November 8, 2025.
Feature DJ priest Padre Guilherme who blended electronic music with sacred themes, creating a unique event uniting young ravers and faithful parishioners.
Highlight Pope Leo’s apostolic blessing projected onto the cathedral, merging spirituality with modern culture and sparking viral social media reactions.
On a chilly November evening in Košice, Slovakia, something truly extraordinary unfolded outside the city’s iconic St. Elisabeth Cathedral. Where one might expect the solemn echo of hymns or the quiet reverence of prayer, the air instead pulsed with electronic beats, laser lights, and the unmistakable energy of a rave. Yet, this was no ordinary party. It was a celebration that bridged the ancient and the modern, the sacred and the secular, as Pope Leo himself appeared—albeit virtually—to bless the crowd in honor of Archbishop Bernard Bober’s 75th birthday.
The event took place on November 8, 2025, marking a remarkable milestone for Archbishop Bober, a beloved figure in Slovakia’s Catholic community. But what truly set the evening apart was the Pope’s appearance, which stunned electronic music fans and worshippers alike. According to Classic FM, the Pope’s blessing was delivered via a dramatic projection onto the cathedral’s walls, accompanied by a dazzling display of lasers, spotlights, and projection mapping that transformed the Gothic facade into a canvas of light and faith.
The mastermind behind this unique blend of spirituality and dance culture was Padre Guilherme, affectionately dubbed the “DJ priest.” Since 1999, Padre Guilherme has served in the Catholic Church, but in recent years, he’s taken on a new mission: bringing people together through music. During the pandemic, he began streaming DJ sets that fused techno beats with sacred and folk melodies, hoping to create a space where faith and fun could coexist. As he told Classic FM, raves—much like faith—draw people from all walks of life, united by a shared experience.
Padre Guilherme’s vision was on full display that night in Košice. As the party transitioned from formal celebration to full-on rave, the cathedral—usually a symbol of tradition—became the epicenter of a new kind of spiritual gathering. The crowd, a mix of young ravers and faithful parishioners, watched in awe as Pope Leo’s image appeared on the cathedral walls. The pontiff’s message was clear, heartfelt, and perfectly timed with the music.
“With joy, I greet you as you gather before dear young people. I greet you as you gather before the splendid cathedral, of course, which is a beating heart of faith and hope coming from different nations, yet united by the same faith,” Pope Leo declared, his words resonating across the square. He continued, “Your presence is a tangible sign of the fraternity and peace that is instilled in our heart by friendship with Christ. I impart to you my apostolic blessing and entrust each of you to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the church and Queen of Peace, and may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit come upon you and remain with you always. Amen.”
The Pope’s blessing reached its crescendo at a moment that would make any seasoned DJ proud—just as the beat dropped, he urged attendees to “share your faith,” ending with a resounding “Amen.” The crowd erupted, and the rave kicked into high gear, the spiritual message and the music becoming one.
The event quickly went viral, with footage shared on Instagram by Padre Guilherme himself. The video captured not only the Pope’s blessing and the mesmerizing light show but also the joy and unity of the crowd. Social media lit up with reactions, many noting the unexpected yet fitting connection between Pope Leo’s Chicago roots and the city’s storied place in the birth of House music. One Instagram commenter exclaimed, “This is the most Chicagoan thing ever!” while another wrote, “This is actually beautiful and what a way to bring young people together in faith!”
For many observers, the event was more than just a party—it was a bold statement about the future of the Catholic Church. By embracing the language and culture of younger generations, Pope Leo and his collaborators signaled a willingness to meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively. The choice of electronic dance music, with its themes of unity and transcendence, echoed the Church’s own message of community and hope.
Of course, such an unconventional approach is not without its critics. Some traditionalists may question whether raves and religious rituals should mix, or whether the spectacle risks overshadowing the sacred. Yet, as the night in Košice demonstrated, there is power in breaking down barriers—between genres, generations, and even centuries-old customs. The Pope’s blessing, delivered amid flashing lights and thumping bass, was a reminder that faith is not confined to quiet chapels or ancient texts but can thrive wherever people gather with open hearts.
The event also highlighted the growing influence of figures like Padre Guilherme, whose ability to bridge worlds has made him something of a spiritual ambassador to the digital age. His DJ sets, which blend techno with sacred music, have found an enthusiastic following online, especially among young people seeking meaning and connection in turbulent times. As he explained to Classic FM, “Raves bring together people from many backgrounds, much like shared faith.”
For Archbishop Bober, the night was a fitting tribute to a lifetime of service, celebrated not just with words or ceremony but with a joyous outpouring of music, light, and community. And for the city of Košice, it was a moment that will be remembered for years to come—a testament to the enduring power of faith, even (or perhaps especially) when it takes unexpected forms.
As the final notes faded and the lights dimmed, attendees left the cathedral square with more than just memories of a good party. They carried with them a blessing, a sense of unity, and a glimpse of what the future of faith might look like—one where tradition and innovation dance together under the same starry sky.