Welcome to the 2025 Jubilee in Rome!
In the year 2025, Rome is set to welcome a new Holy Year, a deeply spiritual event celebrated under the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope,” selected by Pope Francis. This Jubilee is anticipated to attract millions from all corners of the globe, signifying a spiritual journey and festivity centered on faith, forgiveness, and community. Pope Francis, who led the previous extraordinary Jubilee in 2015, highlights the 2025 Jubilee as an occasion to revive the sense of connection and unity, providing a space for contemplation and hope amidst years of global challenges.
The Jubilee is a special year in which the Catholic Church offers the opportunity to seek a plenary indulgence to absolve sins for oneself or departed family members. Additionally, it serves as a chance to rekindle one’s faith and bond with others in a spiritual celebration of reconciliation.
Running from just before Christmas to the Epiphany, from December 2024 to January 2026, this grand event, while greatly valued by Christians worldwide, also presents a unique opportunity for even secular observers to visit Rome.
Recommended:
- 2025 Jubilee Year in Rome: Pilgrims of Hope
- The Events of the 2025 Jubilee
- The Pilgrim’s Card for the 2025 Jubilee
- Holy doors and Jubilee Walking Itineraries
- Discover How Rome Is Preparing For The 2025 Jubilee
As Rome gears up to welcome an estimated 35 million pilgrims, the city is undergoing transformative enhancements to both its historic sites and modern infrastructure.
A total of 327 projects, valued at over €4 billion, are currently underway. These initiatives span Rome’s historic center and outer districts, focusing on improving mobility, enhancing public spaces, and restoring cultural landmarks. The city is investing in the preservation of its natural and architectural heritage by upgrading parks, fountains, historical sites, and maintaining landscapes like the Tiber River and Rome’s green spaces.
Returning to the spiritual essence of the event, the 2025 Jubilee will be themed around ‘hope and trust,’ as emphasized by Pope Francis. It will be a moment of rebirth in a world affected by the pandemic, wars, and climate crises. Through these messages, the pontiff will ceremoniously open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s, inviting around 1.3 billion Catholics to come together in faith.
The opening of the Holy Doors in four Basilicas
The Holy Doors of Rome’s four major basilicas – St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls – will be opened during the Jubilee, each with its own ceremonial significance. Passing through a Holy Door symbolizes a transition from sin to salvation, marking a profound spiritual gesture for pilgrims.
The opening sequence for the doors is as follows:
- St. Peter’s Basilica: Opens on December 24, 2024, symbolizing the start of the Holy Year.
- St. John Lateran Basilica: Opens on December 29, 2024.
- St. Mary Major Basilica: Opens on January 1.
- St. Paul Outside the Walls: Opens on January 5, 2025.
These sites of rare magnificence are worth a visit regardless of one’s religious beliefs. The holy doors will remain open and welcoming until the conclusion of the Jubilee, after which they will be sealed once more.
In addition to the basilicas, Jubilee Churches across Rome are designated gathering points for pilgrims. These churches will host catechesis sessions in various languages, aiming to deepen the understanding of the Holy Year’s purpose. A complete list of these churches and their programs can be found on the official Jubilee website.
Special Events for the Jubilee Year
The year-long Jubilee program is filled with events designed to engage diverse groups and interests.
For example, the Jubilee for Communications will take place on January 24-26, focusing on the role of communication in faith and community. This will be followed by the Jubilee for Armed Forces, Police, and Security on February 8-9, honoring those who protect and serve, and then the Jubilee for Artists on February 15-18.
For those planning to partake in the main events and visit the Holy Doors, the Pilgrim Card is indispensable. This free digital pass, bearing the name of the holder, can be obtained through the official Jubilee website or mobile app. The card facilitates participation in major events and assists pilgrims in organizing their visits to the numerous holy sites in Rome.
2025 promises to be an extraordinary year for Rome, as the city welcomes new faces, ideas, cultures, and energies from around the world, united by a profound love for God, the world, and existence as a whole.
