In pictures: Catholic jamboree

Record numbers of young Catholics have massed on Rome's outskirts for Vatican World Youth Day celebrations. The gathering - the largest so far of the Catholic Church's jubilee year - heard a programme of music from around the world in temperatures which soared to nearly 40C.

Officials say the crowd is Rome's largest in living memory

The Pope took an hour to get through the crowd

The cheering youths were reminiscent of fans at a pop concert

"Tonight they heard us in Rome," he told participants.

Dancers performed during the mass at the Tor Vergata university campus

The world's five continents are represented

Some pilgrims stripped off in the searing heat

Crowds were sprayed with water to keep them cool

All-night prayer vigils are being held before mass