2025 Holy Jubilee in Rome

From December 24, 2024 through January 6, 2026, Pope Francis has declared a ‘Year of Hope’ Jubilee for the Catholic Church.  As a result, approximately 35 million pilgrims will visit Rome and Vatican City to celebrate at spiritual events throughout the Holy Year.  
The Jubilee begins with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, 2024, a passage through which pilgrims can pass from sin to grace at this unique time.  The other basilicas of Rome and additional locations will progressively open their Holy Doors during the ‘Year of Hope’ Jubilee to meet the spiritual needs of celebrants from all over the world.

It will be a joyous time in Rome with special events throughout the Jubilee including the Pope offering two General Audiences a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays in St. Peter’s Square.  To facilitate all these activities comfortably, the city of Rome has invested billions to modernize infrastructure, provide new pedestrian-only walkways, improve rail access and even renovate Rome’s gorgeous fountains. 

Despite these investments to serve the influx of pilgrims, unannounced site closures, heightened security and a press for accommodations will characterize 2025 throughout Rome.  For example, St. Peter’s Basilica and other major basilicas will not be available for touring in 2025.  So too, the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel will be very busy and subject to sudden restrictions and last-minute closure.

Although an historic time to visit the Eternal City, it’s a good time to plan ahead with patience and good cheer.  We will always do everything we can to keep our guests updated as these events unfold.