Rome's Big Year: A Record-Breaking Holy Pilgrimage
A Massive Inflow of Pilgrims
Rome witnessed an unprecedented surge of visitors in 2025, with 33.5 million people descending upon the city for the Catholic Holy Year. This jubilee, occurring every 25 years, is a period of reflection, forgiveness, and unique religious practices.
Pilgrims from 185 countries, including Italy, the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Poland, participated in special activities such as:
- Entering the "Holy Doors" at four major basilicas
- Attending special audiences with the pope
Economic and Urban Impact
The Holy Year brought substantial economic benefits to Rome:
- Tourist shops, museums, and restaurants saw a significant boost in business.
- The city invested 3.7 billion euros in improving tourist sites, a move officials deemed worthwhile.
- Over 3,200 construction projects were initiated, including:
- A new underpass near the Vatican
- Updates to the subway system
- Restoration of the famous Trevi Fountain
Challenges Faced
Despite the benefits, the influx of tourists and construction projects posed some challenges:
- Residents were frustrated by the constant construction work.
- Visitors were disappointed to find many attractions hidden behind scaffolding for months.
- The long-term rental market dried up as landlords preferred short-term rentals for pilgrims.
A Historic Transition
The 2025 Holy Year was historic for another reason:
- It was the first in 300 years to be opened by one pope, Francis, and closed by his successor, Leo.
- Pope Francis passed away in April 2025 after 12 years as the leader of the Catholic Church, which has over 1.4 billion members worldwide.
Looking Ahead
While the Holy Year ended on Tuesday, many construction projects will continue. There is also speculation about a special Jubilee year in 2033 to mark 2,000 years since the death of Jesus, potentially including a joint pilgrimage by Christian leaders to Jerusalem.
