Italian
VATICAN CITY. The desire to take part in the Holy Year is great. The data indicates this trend. In fact, just two weeks after the solemn opening of the ordinary Jubilee of 2025, which took place on December 24th, 545,532 pilgrims from all over the world have already crossed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
Such an encouraging number. Revealed on Tuesday, January 7. Hundreds of groups of faithful who have embarked on their pilgrimage starting from the new Pia square, with the Jubilee cross at the head, and moving in prayer along via della Conciliazione, until reaching the Basilica. Considering the numbers of the first days, the prospect is to see a constant increase in the influx of pilgrims. “This is a very significant start – commented Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for the Evangelization, in charge of organizing the Jubilee – with a great influx of people.
The groups crowding Via della Conciliazione are giving an important testimony, and this is also a sign of the great sense of safety and protection that pilgrims experience in the city of Rome and around the four papal Basilicas,” reads a statement released by the Jubilee press office.
Indeed, the collaboration between the Holy See, the Dicastery, and the Italian and Vatican security forces, as well as the Prefecture of Rome, is very close, aimed at ensuring tranquility and serenity for pilgrims and citizens. “Of course, in these first two weeks, there have been some difficulties in managing the flows that need to be evaluated over time,” added Monsignor Fisichella, “but the Dicastery is working tirelessly to ensure pilgrims receive a welcome and an experience that meet their expectations.”
Preparations are underway from all parts of the world to reach Rome in the coming months, and starting from January 5th, with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, believers can pass through all four Holy Doors of the Roman papal Basilicas: in addition to that of Saint Paul, also the Door of Saint Peter in the Vatican, Saint John Lateran, and Saint Mary Major.
A very useful practical tip for those who will go on pilgrimage is to book in advance on the Jubilee website, iubilaeum2025.va. Another encouraging fact is the thousands of people who filled the four Papal Basilicas on the days of the opening celebrations of the Holy Doors, often crowding the adjacent squares as well. In all this, soon, there will be the first major event of the Holy Year, which is the Jubilee of the world of Communication, scheduled from January 24th to 26th.
Thousands of journalists, experts, and communication professionals from all over the world are expected to gather in Rome. Among other things, during the same days, the National Office for Social Communications of the Italian Episcopal Conference has organized a conference entitled “2025: At the boundaries of communication” to reflect on the challenges of communication in today’s world.
