10 things you can expect in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee

Rome will be stunning in 2025, thanks to numerous public works and infrastructure projects throughout 2024, preparing for the Jubilee year. With a record 3,200 public construction works underway, including 322 essential projects, this will be a prime time to see the city’s beautiful fountains and monuments. Here are some of the major highlights:

• Redevelopment of the pedestrian path via San Pietro Station (Passeggiata del Gelsomino/via della stazione Vaticana).
• Redevelopment of Roma San Pietro station and the square in front.
• Pedestrianisation of Via della Conciliazione to create a protected pedestrian path for pilgrims, enhancing safety. This project includes the construction of the Porta Pia subway and aims to pedestrianise the area between Ponte Sant'Angelo - Castel Sant'Angelo and St. Peter's Square.
• Piazza Pia Underpass project to pedestrianise the area around Castel Sant'Angelo and connect the castle to San Pietro via Via della Conciliazione.
• Restoration of the statues of Ponte Sant'Angelo, the bridge leading to Castel Sant'Angelo.
• Redevelopment of the pedestrian paths Via Ottaviano/St. Peter.
• Redevelopment of the platforms and shelters of Roma Termini station.
• Maintenance of the paving of the quays of the Tiber, right and left bank.
• Restoration of the walls of Porta Angelica.
• Redevelopment of the Villa Celimontana Park.
• Upgrading of green areas in historic villas, such as Villa Doria Pamphilj.
• Restoration and redevelopment of the Villa Glori Park.

You can track all the current developments and restoration projects here.

Piazza Venezia, one of Rome's busiest squares, has been largely closed to traffic since the start of 2024. A specially designed, 185-tonne hydro cutter is digging an 85-meter deep ring to encase the new Metro C station, just down the track from the Colosseum. There will be three new stops: Piazza Venezia, Colosseo/Fori Imperiali Station, and Porta Metronia Station. This extension will connect the city's two main basilicas—St. Peter's and St. John Lateran—cutting through the heart of Rome's art-rich center.

The Vatican is expecting up to 35 million tourists to visit Rome for the Jubilee in 2025, an increase of 20 million from usual numbers.
Despite the high number of pilgrims, they will be spread throughout the year, not all visiting at once. Many pilgrims stay in religious accommodations like monasteries, and those traveling by tour buses often stay in large hotels outside the city center, easing some pressure on central Rome.
While the idea of 35 million pilgrims may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that Rome's tourism is consistently high year-round, and preparations are in place to manage the influx.

The demand for accommodation around the Vatican will be high in 2025, especially in the summer months. If you don’t find the hotels in your budget, you can consider alternatives to hotels, such as staying in monasteries or convents. These often feature breakfast and dining halls, communal spaces, and rooftop terraces with panoramic views. Some offer basic amenities, while others are fully modernized and budget-friendly. For example, Casa il Rosario offers rooms for as little as €50 per night, much cheaper than typical hotel rates. Monasteries provide not only affordable accommodation but also a sense of community, with common areas ideal for socializing. They have welcomed pilgrims and travelers for centuries, emphasizing hospitality. For 2025, accommodation in monasteries, convents, and abbeys is widely available and open to all, offering a friendly and inclusive alternative to hotels.

The Pilgrims’ Center – Info Point, located at 7 Via della Conciliazione, is the main resource for pilgrims and tourists for the Jubilee Year 2025. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, it offers essential information and support.
At the Pilgrims’ Center, you can learn about participating in pilgrimages to the Holy Door, upcoming preparatory events, and volunteer opportunities. It also distributes leaflets and flyers with basic Jubilee information and details on various pilgrim routes in Rome, including the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, the Female Doctors of the Church route, and the Patrons of Europe itinerary. A dedicated team is always available to assist at the Info Point.

A key aspect of the Jubilee is pilgrims passing through the Holy Doors of the four Papal Basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. These doors, opened only during Jubilee years, symbolize the transition from sin to grace and provide a special path to salvation. Pilgrims walking through the Holy Doors can receive a plenary indulgence, which is the complete remission of their sins.
The Vatican Jubilee Year will start on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica and will end on January 6, 2026.

The pilgrimage of the ‘Seven Churches,’ originally conceived by St. Philip Neri in the 16th century, is one of Rome’s oldest traditions. This 25 km walk weaves through the city and into the Roman countryside, including stops at notable basilicas and catacombs. The seven churches included in this pilgrimage are:

Special exhibitions and concerts will be held across Rome during Jubilee 2025. Similar to the last Jubilee, this year might also see massive free outdoor concerts. These cultural events will offer unique experiences for visitors and locals alike. Dates and further details will be announced closer to the start of the Jubilee, providing ample time to plan and participate in these celebrations.

In addition to the usual Wednesday audiences, the Pope will hold audiences on Saturdays when no major events are scheduled. This addition aims to ease the rush on Wednesdays, providing more opportunities for pilgrims and visitors to attend a papal audience during Jubilee 2025.