Another holy year dawns on the eternal city in a touching celebration of forgiveness, under the banner of hope and trust.

In 2025, Rome will welcome a new Holy Year, a profound event celebrated under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope,” chosen by Pope Francis. This Jubilee is expected to draw millions from around the world, marking a spiritual journey and celebration rooted in faith, forgiveness, and community. Pope Francis, who led the last extraordinary Jubilee in 2015, emphasizes the 2025 Jubilee as a time to renew the sense of connection and unity, offering a space for reflection and hope following years of global challenges.

The Jubilee is a year of special grace in which the Catholic Church offers the possibility to ask for a plenary indulgence to forgive the sins for oneself or one’s deceased family members. Plus, it is an opportunity to reconnect with one’s faith and with others in a spiritual celebration of reconciliation.

The Jubilee runs from just before Christian Christmas to the Epiphany, that is, from December 2024 to January 2026. This spectacular event, though inexorably appreciated by Christians all over the world, is a unique occasion to visit Rome even for secular-minded observers.

In preparation for the influx of an estimated 35 million pilgrims, Rome is making transformative upgrades, both to its historic sites and its modern infrastructure.

A total of 327 projects are in progress, valued at over €4 billion. These projects span Rome’s historic center and outer districts, from improving mobility and enhancing public spaces to restoring cultural landmarks. The city is investing in the beauty of its natural and architectural heritage by upgrading parks, fountains, historical sites, and caring for landscapes like the Tiber River and Rome’s greenways.

But to return to the more spiritual aspect of the matter, the Jubilee of 2025 will be dedicated to ‘hope and trust’ (hence the pilgrims of hope motto) as Pope Francis emphasised. It will be an event of rebirth, in a world devastated by the pandemic, wars and climate crises. With these messages, the pontiff will open wide the Holy Door of St. Peter’s to offer approximately 1.3 billion Catholics the opportunity 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 open during the Jubilee, each with its own ceremonial significance. Passing through a Holy Door signifies a movement from sin to salvation, marking a powerful spiritual act for pilgrims.

The doors will be opened in a special sequence:

St. Peter’s Basilica: Opens on December 24, 2024, symbolizing the start of the Holy Year.
St. John Lateran Basilica: Opens December 29, 2024.

St. Mary Major Basilica: Opens January 1.
St. Paul Outside the Walls: Opens January 5, 2025.

These are four sites of rare majesty, worth visiting regardless of one’s religious inclination. The holy doors will remain open and welcoming until the end of the Jubilee when they will be walled up again.

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 full list of these churches and their programming can be found on the official Jubilee website.

Special Events for the Jubilee Year

The year-long Jubilee program is rich with events aimed at engaging diverse groups and interests.

For instance, the Jubilee for Communications will take place on January 24-26, focusing on the role of communication in faith and community. The Jubilee for Armed Forces, Police, and Security will take place on February 8-9, recognizing those who protect and serve, followed by the Jubilee for Artists on February 15-18.

For those planning to participate in the main events and visit the Holy Doors, the Pilgrim Card is essential. This free digital pass, bearing the name of the holder, is available through the official Jubilee website or mobile app. The card facilitates participation in the major events and helps pilgrims organize their visits across the many holy sites in Rome.

2025 will be a wonderful year for Rome and for being in Rome, the city will be filled with new faces, new ideas, new cultures and energies from all over the world, united by an everlasting love for God, the world and existence at large.