Holy Door status checked 25 August 2026. The Holy Doors at St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls closed on 28 December 2025. St Peter’s Holy Door closed on 6 January 2026. The doors remain visible, but pilgrims cannot currently pass through them. The next anticipated Jubilee of the Redemption is in 2033.
“Upon this rock I will build my Church.” Matthew 16:18
Where should Catholics visit in Rome? As bucket-list destinations go, this ancient and magnificent city is in many people’s top ten, but for Catholic pilgrims its not about la cucina italiana and the Colosseum at dusk. The centre of the known world at the time of the early Church, Christians were persecuted here for their faith until the legalisation of Christianity in 313. 13 years later St Helena, mother of emperor Constantine, organised the safe transit of the most sacred relics of the faith from Jerusalem to the heart of the empire – Rome.
Long before that however, Rome was the place where many of the earliest martyrs were born, lived and died, and as the seat of the Pope, it is one of the two great holy cities of the world alongside Jerusalem.
For Catholics, a pilgrimage to Rome is a spiritual odyssey. Many will come with plans to see St Peter’s and the other Major Basilicas, many will come to walk in the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul, the Pillars of the Church. Some may even seek to attend mass and catch a glimpse of the Pope himself, but none are prepared for the impact that this mind-blowing city has on their lives.
So where exactly should Catholics visit in Rome? We’ve curated the following list, in no particular order, of places that will stir the faith of those who have it buried deep in their heart and will inspire those who already feel close to the Lord.
