If there’s one word that defines Rome in 2025, it’s Jubilee — or Giubileo, if you’re speaking Italian. The once-every-25-years event began on 24 December 2024, with Pope Francis opening the normally sealed Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Until 6 January 2026, tens of millions of pilgrims will pour through these doors, as well as the Holy Doors at Rome’s other Papal Basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, and San Paolo Fuori le Mura, to receive plenary indulgences, or the washing away of sins.
In anticipation of the Jubilee and the expected increase in visitors – up to 35 million, a major rise from the 7-10 million who visit every year – Rome has had a facelift. Piazzas are spruced up, fountains are freshly gleaming and vehicle traffic has been rerouted to permit better flow for pedestrians. The results are dazzling and the Eternal City has never looked better.
