2025 Jubilee in Rome – A Time for Celebration and Spiritual Renewal

AI-generated image of St Peter's Basilica at sunset

The 2025 Jubilee in Rome, officially known as the Jubilee of Hope, is a significant event in the Catholic Church, drawing millions of pilgrims from around the world to the Eternal City. This Holy Year, which commenced on December 24th (Christmas Eve) 2024, and will conclude on January 6th (the day of the Epiphany) 2026, offers the faithful a unique opportunity for renewal, reflection and to participate in a spiritual experience shared by millions.

Historical Background

The tradition of the Jubilee in Rome dates back to 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Holy Year. Initially intended to occur every 100 years, the frequency was later adjusted to every 25 years, allowing each generation to experience at least one Jubilee. These years are marked by special celebrations, pilgrimages and the granting of indulgences to the faithful. Unlike in 2000, the 2025 Jubilee in Rome takes place in a new millennium in a world encapsulated in technology, with global threats and spiritual war coming to a head.

Theme and Motto

Pope Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee in Rome to the theme of hope, emphasising the Church’s mission to inspire confidence and optimism among believers and encouraging them to embark on a spiritual journey towards a more hopeful future. The Pope expressed his desire for the Jubilee to be a time of renewed faith and communal solidarity in these times of great uncertainty.

Preparations and Infrastructure

Unfortunately, organisation has always been the Achilles’ heel of Italy and in anticipation of the influx of pilgrims—estimated to be around 32 million—the city got a little over-ambitious in its preparations for the 2025 Jubilee, resulting in predictable chaos and disorder. Well traditions are traditions after all! Nevertheless those whose task it is to welcome, accommodate and host visitors to the city, including Catholic tour companies such as Crucis Tours, do their best to navigate the territory as best they can.

Opening of the Holy Doors

A central ritual of the Jubilee is the opening of the Holy Doors in Rome’s four major basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These doors, which normally remain sealed, are ceremoniously opened to symbolise the offering of an extraordinary pathway to salvation. Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24th 2024. Subsequent openings occurred at the other basilicas in the following days, each accompanied by solemn ceremonies and liturgical celebrations.

Special Events and Celebrations

Throughout the Jubilee Year, numerous events cater to various groups within the Church. For instance, the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture took place from February 15th to 18th, featuring participation from notable figures like producer Tim Burton and actress Monica Bellucci. More recently, from March 28th to 30th, the Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy was held, culminating in a Mass at the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle, where Archbishop Rino Fisichella emphasised the role of these priests as “special instruments of reconciliation.” 

AI-generated image of Carlo Acutis, to be canonised as part of the 2025 Jubilee in Rome.
Image by Lauren Smith at Printerval

One of the major events during the Jubilee year will be the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, the so-called Cyber-Apostle of the Eucharist, on April 27th. This particular event marks a profound moment in the modern history of the Catholic Church. Born in 1991, Carlo gained global attention as a teenager devoted to the Eucharist and the power of technology for evangelisation, using his talent for technology to create a comprehensive online exhibition documenting Eucharistic miracles from around the world. His work continues to inspire millions, especially the youth, demonstrating how faith and modern tools can harmoniously coexist.

His death from leukaemia at just 15 years old led to his beatification in 2020 and his impending sainthood resonates deeply in today’s digital age. His legacy encourages young people to use technology responsibly and creatively in service of the Gospel. As the Church celebrates his canonisation, Carlo becomes a timeless model of holiness, proving that sanctity is attainable not just in monasteries but also in the everyday lives of modern youth.

Pilgrimage and Indulgences

Pilgrimage holds a central place in the 2025 Jubilee Rome experience. Faithful are encouraged to journey to Rome, visit the Holy Doors, and participate in sacramental confession and the Eucharist to receive plenary indulgences. These indulgences represent the remission of temporal punishment due to sin, reinforcing the themes of mercy and renewal that underpin the Jubilee.

The Big Picture

The 2025 Jubilee in Rome stands as a beacon of hope and renewal for Catholics worldwide in a time of great uncertainty both spiritual and material. Through its rich tapestry of traditions and communal celebrations, the Holy Year invites all to embark on a journey of faith, embracing the enduring message of hope that lies at the heart of the Jubilee.

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Where should Catholics visit in Rome? St Peter's Basilica

“Upon this rock I will build my Church.” Matthew 16:18

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AI-generated image of the pilgrim experience in Rome during Holy Week
Holy Week in Rome

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Pass through the Holy Door in Jubilee Year at St Peter's Basilica in Rome
St Peter’s Basilica by night. Image by Jerome Clarisse

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