The Jubilee of Deacons, 6000 pilgrims from all over the world

From Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 2025 the fourth of the great Jubilee events was held, the Jubilee dedicated to Deacons which brought over 6000 pilgrims to Rome, from around 100 countries around the world.

The largest group, with almost 4000 permanent deacons, and their families, come from Italy. Also present were 1300 from the United States, 656 from France, 350 from Spain, 230 from Brazil, 160 from Germany, and 150 from Mexico. Large groups also came from Poland, Colombia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Among the other countries represented were Cameroon, Nigeria, India, Indonesia, and Australia.

23 new deacons were ordained at a Mass on Sunday, February 23, in St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope delegated Archbishop Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization to preside at the ceremony. Two of the new deacons come from Brazil, six from Colombia, one from France, three from Italy, three from Mexico, two from Poland, three from Spain, and three from the United States.

On Friday the pilgrims were welcomed in 12 churches in the center of Rome and joined together in prayer with the common recitation of the Ora Media. Afterwards, a special catechesis for deacons was held in language groups (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, French, and English). The catechesis, followed by a sharing of experiences, was led by 12 bishops and had as its guiding theme "Concrete signs of hope in the diaconal ministry".

The catechesis sessions were held in the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, in the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini, in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale, in the Church of San Gregorio VII, in the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle, in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Damaso, in the Basilica of SS. Ambrogio and Carlo al Corso, in the Sanctuary of San Salvatore in Lauro, in the Chapel of Santa Monica degli Agostiniani, in the Church of San Lorenzo in Piscibus and in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Campo Marzio.

On Saturday 22, participants to made their pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. Also on Saturday morning there was the International Meeting "Deacons in a Synodal and Missionary Church: Witnesses of Hope", organized by the Dicastery for the Clergy, held at the Auditorium Conciliazione.

The Jubilee of Deacons continued on Saturday evening with the Prayer Vigil, in the Paul VI Hall and concluded on Sunday 23 February, with the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.