BUENOS AIRES – Buenos Aires recently witnessed a remarkable gathering, not of divine intervention, but through the innovative expression of music and faith by a DJ-priest. A year after his passing, Pope Francis made a symbolic return to his native city, thanks to the creative endeavors of Guilherme Peixoto, a Portuguese Catholic priest who has taken the electronic music scene by storm.
At the heart of this unique tribute was Peixoto, who at 50, has captivated audiences worldwide with his seamless blend of faith and techno beats. On a memorable Saturday, he orchestrated a rave in Buenos Aires, honoring the legacy of Pope Francis, the beloved Argentine pontiff who passed away in April 2025.
As the rhythmic beats filled the air, a diverse crowd—ranging from devout Catholics to curious agnostics—gathered to dance. Three enormous screens illuminated the night with images of the late Pope Francis, his predecessor Pope John Paul II, and the universal symbol of peace, white doves.
“God bless you, and let’s dance,” resonated a voice-over, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. Clad in priestly garments yet sporting headphones, Peixoto took center stage at the historic Plaza de Mayo, transforming the square into a sanctuary of sound. For two hours, he masterfully mixed techno beats with religious hymns, creating an atmosphere of both reverence and celebration.
Jesús Martín, a 54-year-old Spaniard and electronic music enthusiast, expressed his excitement: “This is a unique opportunity to see him, and it’s free. In Ibiza, you have to pay 150 euros, and up to 2,000 euros for VIP.”
This event not only served as a homage but also highlighted the inspiring journey of Peixoto, whose innovative approach has turned him into a global sensation, bridging the realms of spirituality and music.
Peixoto — better known as Padre Guilherme — has become a global sensation, performing around the world to large audiences and amassing a following of 2.8 million people on Instagram and over 220,000 monthly streams on Spotify. He was ordained a priest in 1999, partly out of religious vocation and partly to fulfill a promise his mother made to God when he suffered a life-threatening illness as a child.
Electronic music became a hobby alongside his priestly career. In the 2000s, he began playing at universities and organizing parties to raise funds for his parish, but he asked that no one take his picture for fear of reprisals from his superiors.
Those fears dissipated when Monsignor Jorge Bergoglio assumed leadership of the Catholic Church as Pope Francis in 2013.
“He often said, ‘Don’t be afraid,’ that we had to go out to the peripheries and that ‘We shouldn’t be afraid to use our hands.’ These messages were an inspiration,” Peixoto recalled in an interview with The Associated Press ahead of his performance in Buenos Aires.
So, he enrolled in a DJ school, contacted electronic music producers and began composing his own tracks. Eventually, invitations to participate in festivals and play in clubs across Portugal began to arrive.
The priest burst onto the world stage after his performances at World Youth Day in 2023, before the open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.
“I will never lose this connection with Pope Francis,” Peixoto said. “He was the one who touched my heart with this facet of music.”
Many attending his Saturday rave knew little about the priest-DJ.
“I learned about him when the tribute to Francis was first announced. I came to remember the Pope, but I think what he does is very original, as long as it’s done respectfully,” Silvia Garaggiola, 60, said.
Saturday’s set list included Peixoto’s hit “El Grano de Mostaza” and remixes of Bad Bunny and Queen.
Evangelizing youth from the DJ booth
From the Medusa Festival in Cullera, Spain, to Dreamfields in Mexico, or the Hï Ibiza club — in that Spanish resort town often dubbed the “Vatican” of electronic music — Peixoto broadcasts a message of peace and coexistence to thousands of young people, the vast majority of whom are not practicing Catholics.
Amid the smoke of tobacco and marijuana cigarettes, several groups of teenagers danced and imitated the DJ priest’s hand movements, while laser lights gave Plaza de Mayo the appearance of a nightclub.
“It sounds really good,” commented 17-year-old Ileana González. “I have zero religion, but I’m having fun.”
The Curia’s resistance to modernization, its rejection of sexual diversity and the scandals involving the abuse of minors have erected a wall between the Catholic Church and younger generations —a barrier that Pope Francis sought to dismantle through his revolutionary papacy.
An admirer of English musician Carl Cox and the Italian American artist Anyma, Peixoto seeks to carry forward that mission from behind his DJ decks.
“I believe it is incredibly important to make young people smile, to help them feel happy with themselves, rather than associating happiness with merely possessing this or that material thing,” he said.
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