Thousands of believers have already made their pilgrimage, which began at Piazza Pia with the jubilee cross at the front, and continued in prayer along Via della Conciliazione, until they reached the basilica.
“This is a very significant beginning,” commented Archbishop Mons. Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, which is responsible for organizing the Jubilee, “with a large participation of believers. The groups filling the street Via della Conciliazione provide important testimonies, and this is also a sign of the security and protection that pilgrims experience in Rome and around the four papal basilicas.” There is indeed close cooperation between the Holy See and the Dicastery with Italian and Vatican security forces and the prefecture of Rome.
Given the number of pilgrims in the first days, a constant increase in their influx is expected. “Of course, these first two weeks have not been completely without problems and it is necessary to assess problems over time,” added Mons. Fisichella, “but the Dicastery works tirelessly to ensure that pilgrims have a welcome and experience that meets their expectations.” Preparations for the arrival in Rome in the coming months are underway worldwide, aided by children, youth, adults, and the elderly who have already engaged in the jubilee spirit during the opening of the Holy Year, which took place in all dioceses on December 29, 2024.
Since January 5, when the Holy Door of St. Paul's Basilica outside the walls was opened, believers can pass through all four Holy Doors of the papal basilicas in Rome: in addition to that of St. Paul, also the door of St. Peter in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, and Santa Maria Maggiore. To perform their pilgrimage to the Holy Doors, it is necessary to book a place in advance on the Jubilee website, iubilaeum2025.va, due to the long queues of believers. The great desire to participate in the Jubilee was also evident from the thousands of people who filled the four papal basilicas on the day of the opening of the Holy Doors, often filling the squares in front of them.
The first major event of the Holy Year will be the World Jubilee of Communication, which will take place from January 24 to 26. On this occasion, thousands of journalists, experts, and communication professionals from all over the world are expected to arrive.
source: iubilaeum2025.va