2025 is a very special year for Rome, last Christmas Eve the Holy Year began. The Jubilee is declared by the Pope every 25 years, so needless to say it is one of those events in which to participate at least once in a lifetime, otherwise you will have to wait another quarter of a century.
The Jubilee 2025 has its nerve center in the city of Rome, the capital of Christianity, where the Pope resides, but remember that even in the main Italian cities during the Jubilee 2025 collateral initiatives are planned. In Rome the city is celebrating, the calendar of events for the Jubilee 2025 is very rich not only in spiritual initiatives, but also in cultural initiatives and exhibitions not to be missed for the Jubilee 2025. The beautiful metropolis of Rome this year will have a strong increase in visitors and if we consider that it is an already chaotic city you will certainly need some tips and practical advice on what to do and what not to do during the Jubilee. To simplify your visit, also consider using a pass, such as the Visit Rome Pass, a single card that includes access to more than 50 attractions, unlimited use of public transport and is available in 2, 3 or 7 day versions.
What is the Jubilee
The Jubilee originates from the Jewish tradition that, every 50 years, provided for a year of rest for the land and the liberation of all slaves. Today in the Catholic Church the Jubilee is proclaimed by the Pope every 25 years and during the Holy Year the head of the church grants plenary indulgence to all people who go to Rome or other Jubilee churches and perform certain religious practices (pilgrimage, prayer, confession and participation in Mass).
In St. Peter's Basilica the Holy Door that symbolizes the start of the Jubilee opened last December 24 and will close on January 6 of next year. Crossing the Holy Door, usually permanently closed, is one of those events that is worth experiencing! Whether you belong to the Catholic religion or another religion, the Jubilee is a special occasion that will allow you to see the city of Rome in a different light and join in the message of hope that it brings, the title of the Jubilee 2025 is Peregrinantes in Spem.
How to participate in the Jubilee
To actively participate in the Jubilee, the first thing to do is register on the official Jubilee website and get the pilgrim's card, it is a free, personal card that will allow you to always be updated and access all the Jubilee events, participation is free with the exception of some special events that also include the possibility of accommodation and logistics.
Consider that if for any reason you were unable to get the pilgrim's card, you will still be able to freely access all the Jubilee Basilicas, participate in the masses and take the spiritual walks.
Jubilee events
The first and important event that started the Jubilee was the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, subsequently all the holy doors of the other Jubilee Basilicas in Rome and the rest of Italy were opened, the first advice we give you is therefore to make your entry into the church through a Holy Door. There are many events that will be held in Rome, it is important to keep an eye on the official Jubilee website, always updated and where all the useful communications for those who want to participate actively are included. The very rich Jubilee calendar covers the entire year 2025, over the months events dedicated to each category of people in terms of age, social and professional status will unfold.
Apart from the various Jubilees dedicated to individual categories of extreme interest and importance are the Jubilee Walks, the pilgrimages planned for the Jubilee. The planned pilgrimages are: Pilgrimage of the Papal Basilicas, these Basilicas in addition to their spiritual importance are worthy of note for their artistic and historical value and are truly worth a visit. Then there is the Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches, this is one of the oldest Roman traditions, 25 km that wind through the entire city reaching even the countryside where the catacombs are located. The 7 churches are: Basilica of St. Peter, Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Basilica of St. Sebastian Outside the Walls. Then there is the Iter Europam path, which includes stops in 28 churches and Basilicas, each of which is linked to a European state. Lastly, the path of Women Patrons of Europe and Doctors of the Church, this pilgrimage wants to bring to the attention of the faithful and tourists the figures of European holy women.
The Jubilee locations
The Jubilee is an event that will take place in Italy and in particular throughout the city of Rome, including the suburbs of the metropolis, but clearly the key places of the event will be St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and all the Jubilee churches, that is, the most beautiful and ancient Basilicas in Rome. Some events and celebrations will instead take place at the Circus Maximus, at Centocelle Park, in the area of the New Rome Fair and that of Tor Vergata.
The various planned Jubilees dedicated to specific categories will take place both in the Vatican and in locations spread throughout the city, including public parks. If you want to plan your trip to Rome in 2025 and want to participate in the Jubilee, the best place to stay is clearly the Vatican area, also considering all the surrounding neighborhoods: Borgo Pio, Castel Sant'Angelo, Piazza Cavour, the Prati neighborhood. If these places are already sold out, you might consider moving to other central neighborhoods, our advice is to choose a neighborhood well connected by public transport, especially on the subway lines.
How to get around Rome during the Jubilee
Rome is a very large city and is spread over 7 hills, so you will find various climbs and descents, using only your legs could be tiring, we recommend that you use Rome's public transport, which includes two metro lines, numerous bus and tram lines, interesting and curious means of transport with which to move and rather characteristic, they have the advantage of travelling on preferential tracks and therefore not getting stuck in traffic.
For moving around the city, the Visit Rome Pass is highly recommended, which gives unlimited access to the entire Roman public transport network, in addition to the card itself there is access to more than 50 attractions, because it is true that you are in Rome for the Jubilee, but you don't want to miss out on visiting the iconic wonders of Rome? An eco-friendly alternative that you can consider to get around the city is renting electric bikes, a suggestive option that will allow you to move in a less frenetic way and to stop when you see a glimpse or an attraction appears on your path without having planned it. Renting is particularly recommended during the beautiful season that in Rome goes from spring to autumn, that is, almost all year round. We hope you enjoy your visit to the eternal city to the fullest and take the message of hope with you!
