In 2025, Rome will host another Jubilee, a momentous event for the Catholic community. This Jubilee, a tradition dating back to 1300, holds immense spiritual significance. The city is undergoing extensive renovations, particularly in the Vatican area, to prepare for the influx of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.

It is estimated that over 35 millions of pilgrims and tourists will visit Rome during the Holy Year. The local municipality has invested heavily in improving public transportation, including purchasing 500 new buses and upgrading the subway system. Additionally, the entire tram network has been rebuilt to enhance mobility. Moreover, many of the monuments have been restored to look like bright lights!

What is the Jubilee?

The Jubilee, or Holy Year, is the most important religious event in the Catholic Church. The first Jubilee was declared in Rome in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII through the “Bolla Antiquorum Habet Fida Relatio.” This decree stated that a devout Christian should pass through the Holy Doors of either St. Peter’s Basilica or St. Paul’s Basilica.

These Holy Doors, typically sealed shut, are opened only during Jubilee years, symbolizing the opportunity for spiritual renewal and forgiveness. Initially, this required 30 visits from Roman citizens and 15 from pilgrims outside the city.

The frequency of Jubilees was first set at every 50 years, then reduced to 33 years, and finally, in the 15th century, Pope Paul II changed it to every 25 years. Participants receive the “Indulgenza Plenaria,” or plenary indulgence, which offers forgiveness of sins and their associated penalties.

What is the impact of the Jubilee today?

Many potential tourists worry about the chaotic atmosphere during Jubilee events throughout the Holy Year. However, it is important to note that these events are concentrated over a few days spread throughout the year.

Rome will continue to be a beautiful and welcoming city for all. I hope that tourists will enjoy their time here, as careful trip planning can lead to unique experiences enriched by the spiritual significance of the Jubilee.

Proper planning lets you make the most of your visit, whether a casual traveler or a pilgrim. Rome offers a wide range of services to cater to your needs, empowering you to create a memorable and enriching experience. See our Jubilee tours!

What about the other cities?

The 2025 Jubilee, for sure, will bring many people to Italy, but as reported above, the pilgrims are coming for the specific Jubilee ends; they will not invade either the whole of Italy or Rome itself. Some of these events may take place in cities different from Rome, such as the city of St. Francis, Assisi, which is part of an essential religious path.

Still, it could be crowded only occasionally. Anyway, if you want to come to Italy, you can fully enjoy the beauty of our country; Italy, besides hosting the most important Catholic church in the world, also owns 70% of the UNESCO Heritage sites in the world.

Therefore, it offers so much besides the religious point of view. Thus, either you want to spend some time visiting our art cities or just you would love to enjoy a day exploring the countryside like, experiencing for example, an Eno-gastronomic tour to sip our excellent wines and taste some of the iconic dishes of the Italian cuisine, you can have thousands of opportunities spread all over the country.

Conclusions

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