Protocol for the active involvement of prisoners in the 2025 Jubilee signed at Palazzo Chigi

Just over 100 days before the official opening of the Jubilee Year, a joint meeting of the institutional bodies and coordination teams for the Holy Year of 2025 was held yesterday at Palazzo Chigi. Among those present were the Pro-Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelisation, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Italy’s Undersecretary to the Prime Minister’s office, Alberto Mantovano, the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, the Commissioner Roberto Gualtieri, the Prefect of Rome Lamberto Giannini and, via remote link, the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Italian Government for the Jubilee, Agostino Miozzo.

During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Italy’s Extraordinary Commissioner, the Ministry of Justice and the Holy See for the involvement of suitable prisoners in maintenance and other work during the Jubilee, with the aim of helping them acquire professional skills which will be useful for their future social reintegration. The agreement was born out of a common desire to mark the Jubilee of Hope by revisiting an initiative which was tried for the first time during the Jubilee of Mercy in 2015. It reflects the particular concern Pope Francis has for the rehabilitation of prisoners. Indeed, in the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee 2025 the Holy Father announced plans for the extraordinary opening of a Holy Door in a prison.

The mayor of Rome, Gualtieri, then briefed attendees on the progress of Rome’s Jubilee construction sites, with an update on the works in Piazza Pia and Piazza dei Cinquecento, the Lungotevere Castello parking project, the redevelopment of Piazza Risorgimento and the modernization of the Ponte dell’Industria.

With regard to major events, it was decided to concentrate on spots where the Holy Father is expected to be present - the area around ​​Piazza San Pietro, Via della Conciliazione, Piazza Pia and Piazza Risorgimento, and the World Youth Day in Tor Vergata. Other connected events, will be held in different locations in Rome, depending on organizational needs and the number of those present.

With regard to the reception and assistance of vulnerable pilgrims, a new site has been identified in Piazza di Porta San Lorenzo, as an alternative to a structure initially planned by the City Council near Termini Train Station. A prefabricated welcome point/reception area will be built with the aim of creating a facility with a permanent function, not only to be used for special events and emergencies.