In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the late Pope Francis made a posthumous appearance not through a miracle, but through the creative efforts of a DJ-priest named Guilherme Peixoto. A year after Francis's death in April 2025, Peixoto, a Portuguese Catholic priest, hosted a rave on Saturday as a tribute to the Argentine-born leader of the Catholic Church.
The event, held at the historic Plaza de Mayo, attracted a diverse crowd of young and old, Catholics and agnostics, who danced to the music curated by Peixoto. The atmosphere was enhanced by three enormous screens that displayed images of Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II along with visuals of white doves, creating a unique blend of spirituality and entertainment.
“God bless you, and let’s dance,” a voice-over announced before Peixoto, dressed in priestly attire with headphones, took to the DJ booth. For the next two hours, he mixed techno beats with religious melodies, captivating the audience. One attendee, Jesús Martín, a 54-year-old Spaniard, remarked on the uniqueness of the event, emphasizing the lack of cost compared to similar events in Ibiza that could charge upwards of 2,000 euros for VIP access.
Father Guilherme, as he is widely known, has become a global sensation in the electronic music scene, amassing 2.8 million followers on Instagram and generating over 220,000 monthly streams on Spotify. Having been ordained in 1999, Peixoto's journey into music began as a hobby alongside his priestly duties. In the 2000s, he organized parties to support his parish, initially facing risks of repercussions from superiors until the ascension of Pope Francis in 2013 alleviated those concerns.
“He often said, ‘Don’t be afraid,’ that we had to go out to the peripheries,” Peixoto recalled, citing the encouragement he received from Francis. Inspired by these messages, he enrolled in a DJ school and began producing his own tracks, ultimately leading to performances at festivals and clubs around Portugal.
Peixoto gained international recognition following his performances at World Youth Day in 2023 during an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. He expressed a lasting connection to the Pope, stating that Francis inspired him to embrace the world of music. Despite many attendees being unaware of Peixoto's background, they came to celebrate the legacy of the late Pope, appreciating Peixoto’s originality in the context of respect.
His set list for the evening included his hit “El Grano de Mostaza” and remixes of popular artists like Bad Bunny and Queen. During the rave, amidst the smoke and vibrant laser lights reminiscent of a nightclub, Peixoto delivered a message of peace and coexistence to a largely non-religious young audience, engaging them through the universal language of music.
“I believe it is incredibly important to make young people smile,” Peixoto stated, stressing the importance of happiness beyond material possessions. As the Catholic Church faces challenges in connecting with younger generations due to modernization resistance and various controversies, Peixoto follows Pope Francis's mission to bridge that gap through music and positivity. His performances, from internationally recognized festivals in Spain and Mexico to renowned clubs in Ibiza, continue to draw crowds while promoting themes of joy and coexistence.
