BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Pope Francis made an unexpected appearance in Argentina’s capital a year after his passing, but it wasn’t a miracle—rather, it was orchestrated by a DJ-priest.
Guilherme Peixoto, a Portuguese Catholic priest in his 50s, has gained celebrity status within the electronic music scene. He hosted a rave in Buenos Aires over the weekend to honor the Argentine-born leader of the Catholic Church, who died in April 2025.
As people of all ages, including both Catholics and agnostics, swayed to the beats controlled by Peixoto from his DJ booth, three large screens displayed images of the late Popes Francis and John Paul II alongside flying doves.
“God bless you all, and let’s dance,” a voiceover announced before Peixoto, dressed in priestly garb and wearing headphones, appeared at the historical Plaza de Mayo. For two hours, he blended techno with religious melodies, captivating the crowd.
“This is a unique opportunity to see him, and it’s free,” stated Jesús Martín, a 54-year-old Spaniard and avid electronic music fan. “In Ibiza, you’d pay between 150 to 2,000 euros for VIP access.”
Inspiration Sparks Global Fame
Peixoto, known as Padre Guilherme, has become an international phenomenon, commanding large audiences worldwide and accumulating 2.8 million followers on Instagram along with over 220,000 monthly Spotify streams. Ordained in 1999, his path to the priesthood was driven by both spiritual calling and a promise his mother made during his childhood illness.
His venture into electronic music started as a pastime alongside his clerical duties. In the 2000s, he began performing at universities and organizing parties to raise money for his parish, often requesting that no one photograph him for fear of disapproval from church authorities. This changed when Monsignor Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013.
“He encouraged us to overcome fears and embrace outreach,” Peixoto reflected in an interview prior to his Buenos Aires performance.
Reaching Youth from the DJ Booth
From festivals in Spain and Mexico to clubs in Ibiza—often referred to as the “Vatican” of electronic music—Peixoto conveys messages of peace to large crowds of mostly non-religious young people. Amid tobacco and marijuana smoke, teens reveled and mimicked Peixoto’s movements, illuminated by club-style laser lights.
“It sounds awesome,” said 17-year-old Ileana González. “I don’t practice any religion, but I’m having a blast.” The Catholic Church’s struggles to connect with younger generations have been exacerbated by opposition to social progress, a challenge Pope Francis aimed to address through his transformative papacy.
Admiring artists like Carl Cox and Anyma, Peixoto remains committed to spreading joy and emphasizing happiness not tied to material possessions.
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