Young Catholics are organizing new, social Mass meetups that began in New York and recently reached Washington, D.C., drawing hundreds and catching the attention of conservative voices who see it as a grassroots revival of faith among the next generation.
What began as a simple idea in New York has multiplied into a movement called “Pizza to Pews,” where young people gather for Mass and then share a slice of pizza and conversation. Anthony Gross and Kate Depetro started the concept to make sure nobody feels isolated at church, and what was once informal quickly drew wide interest. The format is intentionally basic and social, pairing worship with the normalcy of a casual meal to lower the barrier for new attendees.
The turnout in D.C. this past weekend showed how fast the idea has spread, with hundreds showing up in a matter of weeks as the movement moved beyond social media into real-life community. Influencers helped amplify the gatherings, and prominent conservative figures also attended and shared their experience. That mix of digital reach and in-person momentum has turned local meetups into something that looks increasingly scalable.
Data back up what organizers have felt on the ground: a renewed interest in faith among young people, particularly young men. A Gallup poll from April 2025 found about 42 percent of young men say religion is “very important” to them, up from 28 percent in 2023. Those shifting numbers suggest that religion is becoming a meaningful anchor again for a sizable portion of this generation.
Anthony Gross got started by posting videos that reviewed churches around New York and then teamed up with Kate Depetro to turn those conversations into community. The goal was practical and direct: give young Catholics a place to meet after Mass so they do not have to go alone. Gross framed the effort as youth-led, pushing back against the expectation that institutions will do the organizing for them.
On Fox, when asked by Peter Doocy what the biggest hurdle for the movement is, Gross answered plainly, “Nobody is coming to build these communities for you. Our country needs young people to take initiative. So, if God has given you a thought or inspiration, don’t take it lightly.” That line captures the movement’s self-starter spirit and reflects a broader conservative view that civil society and volunteers must act rather than wait for top-down solutions.
Gross has also said that belief in God is the single strongest signal he sees that a young person believes in a hopeful future, and organizers are framing the gatherings as more than social events. They describe them as rebuilding the relational architecture that modern life has hollowed out, especially for those in their 20s and early 30s. For conservatives watching, the revival has political and cultural value: it strengthens community ties and reinforces moral and civic habits that sustain healthy neighborhoods.
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Conservative personalities and faith leaders have taken note, attending events and sharing the idea across platforms to encourage more local chapters. The attention from those quarters has not been merely promotional; it has helped translate online curiosity into people showing up at pews and parish halls. That practical conversion is what separates a viral trend from a durable movement.
The rise of these gatherings also sends a message about where cultural energy is moving among young Americans, especially on matters that matter to conservatives. When young people choose faith-based community over purely secular options for connection, it shifts local social ecosystems in ways that favor family formation and civic engagement. For those who believe in renewing the social institutions that made strong communities possible, the trend is a welcome development.
Editor’s Note: President Trump is leading America into the “Golden Age” as Democrats try desperately to stop it.
