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A priest turned DJ spun electronic music for thousands in Buenos Aires at a massive rave honouring the late Pope Francis one year after his death
BUENOS AIRES: Father Guilherme Peixoto, known as the “DJ Priest”, appeared in central Buenos Aires to spin electronic music at a massive tribute rave for Pope Francis.
The 52-year-old Portuguese priest wore jeans, a clerical collar and a rosary on his wrist as he performed in Plaza de Mayo.
Techno versions of the “Super Mario” soundtrack and the 1990s classic “Ameno” were mixed with excerpts from Francis’s speeches.
The political heart of Argentina was transformed into a Catholic celebration beneath a laser light show, flanked by the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral and the government’s Casa Rosada.
Peixoto told AFP his goal was “to let the music touch hearts so deeply that young people return home with a desire to change the world.”
An illuminated cross hung above him on stage as a screen showed a large white dove flapping its wings, symbolising the Holy Spirit.
Many in the crowd wore halos fitted with white lights, sold by street vendors for less than $10.
The concert kicked off with an audio clip of Francis saying, “The Church is not an NGO.” Peixoto later recited the late pope’s frequent request to young people to “make some noise.”
Francis, born in Buenos Aires and its former archbishop, died on April 21, 2025. Tomas Ferreira, a 25-year-old lawyer, told AFP he thought it was “really great that the priest is trying to bring people together through the fusion of electronic music and religion.”
A native of Guimaraes, Portugal, Peixoto has served as a parish priest in northern Portugal since 1999.
He entered the seminary at age 13 but always kept one foot in the world of music, playing the organ in a pop-rock band with fellow seminarians.
He learned to mix music by watching YouTube videos, initially organising karaoke nights to raise funds for his debt-ridden parish.
“It was a long, long process — a journey that led me right here,” Peixoto said of mastering the craft.
The Covid-19 pandemic marked a turning point when his live-streamed sets went viral and the “DJ Priest” nickname stuck.
His breakthrough came in Ibiza in July 2024, performing for thousands to celebrate his 25th anniversary as a priest.
He said he conveys “messages of peace” through his music, which has become more melodic.
“I get goosebumps when I feel that we are all united on the dance floor,” Peixoto said.