Half a million pilgrims have already passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica for the Jubilee

Just two weeks after the solemn opening of the 2025 Jubilee year on Christmas Eve, already 545,532 pilgrims from all over the world have passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Hundreds of groups have already made their pilgrimage, starting from the new Piazza Pia, with the Jubilee cross leading them as they move prayerfully along Via della Conciliazione, to reach the Basilica.

“This is a very significant beginning, with a large turnout of people. The groups crowding along Via della Conciliazione give an important witness – they are a sign of the great sense of safety and protection that pilgrims experience in the city of Rome and in the areas around the four Papal Basilicas" said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who is in charge of the organization of the Jubilee

The close collaboration of the Holy See and the Dicastery with the Italian and Vatican security forces, and with the Prefecture of Rome, is set to continue throughout the Holy Year. If the numbers seen in the first few days are anything to go by, a constant increase in the number of pilgrims can be expected. "Of course, in these first two weeks there have been some difficulties in managing the flows and that will need to be evaluated over time,” added Archbishop Fisichella, “but the Dicastery is working tirelessly to ensure that pilgrims receive a welcome and an experience that lives up to their expectations".

In fact, preparations are underway all over the world to travel to Rome in the coming months. Many children, young people, adults and the elderly have already entered into the spirit of the Jubilee by taking part in the opening celebrations of the Holy Year held in all the dioceses of the world on 29 December 2024.

From 5 January, with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, the faithful can now pass through all four Holy Doors of the Roman papal basilicas – in addition to that of Saint Paul’s, the doors of Saint Peter’s, Saint John Lateran’s and Saint Mary Major’s are now open. To make a pilgrimage to the Holy Doors, given the long lines of people gathering, it is essential to book in advance on the Jubilee website, www.iubilaeum2025.va

The great public desire to participate in the Jubilee was clear from the thousands of people who filled the four papal basilicas during the days of the opening celebrations, often crowding outside in the piazzas in front of the buildings

The first major event of the Holy Year will be the Jubilee of the World of Communication to be held from 24 to 26 January. Thousands of journalists, communications experts and officials from all over the world are expected in Rome for the occasion.