2025 Jubilee year: second bilateral meeting between the Italian Government and the Holy See at Palazzo Chigi

The joint program of works of the Italian Government and the Holy See in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025 is moving forward. This afternoon at Palazzo Chigi, Italian Government representatives, along with the Government Commissioner, met for the second time with the Holy See delegation to take stock of the progress being made in terms of institutional arrangements, the current state of preparations for the Jubilee year and upcoming major Jubilee and cultural events.

Italy was represented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Undersecretary of State, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister for the Economy and Finance, the Minister of Culture, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Tourism, the President of the Lazio Region, the Minister for European Affairs, and the Minister for Disabilities. Also present were the Mayor of Rome and the Special Government Commissioner for the Jubilee, the Prefect of Rome.

For the Holy See, the delegation included the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, the Undersecretary Mgr Graham Bell, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and Organizations, Msgr. Roberto Campisi, Councilor for General Affairs.

"We are here to write the next steps of this journey together," said Prime Minister Meloni.

Cardinal Parolin said: "In May Pope Francis will publish the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee and Rome will become a catalyst for pilgrims. The construction activity already underway means that those who arrive will find a much more livable city."

The Mayor of Rome and Jubilee Commissioner Roberto Gualtieri also spoke about the ongoing public works. He said: "The people of Rome feel the disruption, but they also understand the importance of a great event such as the Jubilee."

Among the issues on the agenda were the progress to date on plans for security and health care, and plans for volunteers, civil defense, and transportation. Also discussed were some updates on important issues, starting with the agreement with the Italian Foreign Ministry to issue visas to non-EU pilgrims who arrive in Rome for the Holy Year. "We are ready to sign the agreement with the Vatican authorities for visas for pilgrims," Foreign Minister Tajani said.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last September between Italy’s Tourism Minister, Daniela Santanchè, the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Jubilee, and Archbishop Fisichella covering the reception of tourists visiting Rome for the Jubilee. "I would like to thank the Ministry of Tourism for the agreement reached," said Archbishop Fisichella, who also stressed the importance of the "cultural dimension of the Holy Year also being known in schools." The cultural program "The Jubilee is Culture" was itself discussed, with particular attention being paid to the educational aspect, which includes fixed and traveling exhibitions and concerts.

Periodic meetings of the Working Groups are also on-going in Rome, which involve close collaboration between the Prefect’s office, the Support Office to the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Jubilee, Roma Capitale (Rome city council) and the Holy See dicastery. There are also many new announcements planned relating to the organization of Jubilee events, the dates and programs of which have already been released and which will be formally launched in coming days on the website, which is available in six languages.  The official Jubilee app - Iubilaeum25 - has also been available for download since October.