If you’re planning to visit Rome anytime soon, you’ve probably seen the scaffolding. It's everywhere. Honestly, the city looks a bit like a construction site right now, but there’s a massive reason for it. We are officially in the thick of a Jubilee year in Italy, a rare event that happens once every 25 years.
People call it the "Holy Year." Basically, it’s a 379-day marathon of spirituality, massive crowds, and logistical chaos that transformed Rome before it even began. It officially kicked off on Christmas Eve 2024 and won't wrap up until January 6, 2026. If you’re thinking this is just some quiet religious holiday for a few locals, think again. The city is bracing for over 35 million people. That’s like the entire population of Canada trying to squeeze into a city roughly the size of Phoenix.
Why the 2025-2026 Jubilee is a Big Deal
The theme this time around is "Pilgrims of Hope." Pope Francis wanted this to be about recovery—sorta like a global reset after the pandemic and all the crazy wars going on. But for a regular traveler, it means Italy is operating on a different frequency.
A Jubilee isn't just a date on a calendar; it’s an architectural and social shift. The last "ordinary" one was in 2000. If you missed that one, you had to wait a quarter-century for this. Sure, there was an "extraordinary" one in 2015, but this is the real deal. The big one.
The most iconic image you'll see is the opening of the Holy Doors. These aren't your everyday church entrances. They are literally sealed with bricks and mortar for 25 years. When the Pope knocks them down (symbolically, with a hammer), it signals that the "path to salvation" is open.
The Five Doors You Need to Know
Most people think there are only four. Wrong.
- St. Peter’s Basilica: The big one. Opened Christmas Eve 2024.
- St. John Lateran: The Pope’s actual cathedral (not St. Peter's!). Opened Dec 29, 2024.
- St. Mary Major: Dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Opened Jan 1, 2025.
- St. Paul Outside the Walls: The one with the amazing mosaics. Opened Jan 5, 2025.
- Rebibbia Prison: This is the "secret" fifth door. Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at this Roman prison on December 26, 2024, to show that hope belongs to everyone, even those behind bars.
Surviving the Logistics: The Pilgrim Card
If you want to walk through those doors or attend the big events, you can’t just show up. You need a Pilgrim Card (Carta del Pellegrino). It’s free, but it’s essential. You grab it via the "Iubilaeum25" app.
Don't expect to just wander into St. Peter’s on a whim during a major event weekend. The schedule is hyper-specific. There’s a "Jubilee of Artists," a "Jubilee of Workers," and even a "Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Influencers" (yes, really).
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Pro Tip: If you aren't here for religious reasons, check the calendar on the official Vatican website. If your trip coincides with the "Jubilee of Youth" (late July/early August 2025), expect the city to be packed with millions of teenagers. Maybe pick a different week.
Rome is Transforming (Literally)
Italy spent about €4.8 billion preparing for this. You can see the results in the new pedestrian zones. The coolest project is probably Piazza Pia. They moved a massive, high-traffic road underground to create a huge walking path from Castel Sant’Angelo straight to St. Peter’s Square. It’s now the largest pedestrian area in the city.
They also scrubbed the fountains. The Trevi Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona got some serious TLC. Even the main train station, Termini, got a facelift. They’re trying to make the city "liveable" again, though if you’re stuck in a traffic jam on the Lungotevere, you might disagree.
The Indulgence Factor
What’s the actual "point" for the pilgrims? It’s the Plenary Indulgence. In Catholic theology, this is basically a "get out of jail free" card for the temporal punishment of sins.
To get it, you don't just walk through a door. You’ve gotta:
- Go to Confession.
- Receive the Eucharist.
- Pray for the Pope’s intentions.
- Perform an act of mercy or complete a pilgrimage.
It’s a spiritual workout. And it’s not just in Rome. While Rome is the heart, the 2025-2026 Jubilee is happening in every diocese worldwide. But let's be real—walking through a 500-year-old door in Rome hits differently than doing it at your local parish.
Beyond the Vatican: The Rest of Italy
The Jubilee year in Italy isn't just a Rome thing. The ripples go everywhere.
- Assisi: Expect massive crowds at the Basilica of St. Francis.
- Loreto: The Holy House is a huge draw this year.
- Venice and Florence: While not "Jubilee hubs," they are seeing massive overflow. People visit Rome for three days, then flee the crowds to Tuscany or the North.
What about the "Luce" Mascot?
One of the weirder things to happen was the Vatican launching an anime mascot named Luce. She has blue hair, a yellow raincoat (to represent the Vatican flag), and "shells" in her eyes (like the scallop shell of the Camino). It was a huge attempt to reach Gen Z. You'll see her on merchandise everywhere. Kinda cute, kinda surreal.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you're heading over before the year ends in January 2026, here is your survival plan.
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- Register Early: Get that Pilgrim Card on the app now. Even if you aren't religious, it can sometimes help with access to certain areas.
- Public Transit is Your Best Friend: The city added hundreds of new buses and upgraded Metro Line A. Don't even think about renting a car in Rome. You'll spend your whole vacation looking for a parking spot that doesn't exist.
- The "Blue" Lines: Look for the dedicated Jubilee transit routes. These are designed to shuttle people between the four major basilicas.
- Drink the Water: Rome has "Nasoni"—small drinking fountains with cold, free water. Don't pay €4 for a plastic bottle at a tourist trap.
- Book Everything: Restaurants that used to be "walk-in" are now booked weeks out. If there's a specific trattoria in Trastevere you love, call them today.
The Jubilee is a once-in-a-generation energy. It’s crowded, it’s loud, and it’s deeply moving for millions. Even if you're just there for the pasta, you're part of history right now. Just watch out for the scaffolding—it's finally coming down, revealing a Rome that looks cleaner than it has in decades.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the IUBILAEUM25 app to check the daily event calendar.
- Verify if your travel dates overlap with "Major Events" like the Jubilee of Youth (July 28 – Aug 3) which will cause peak congestion.
- Secure accommodation at least 4 months in advance, preferably near a Metro A or B station for easier access to the Basilicas.
- Plan to visit the major Holy Doors early in the morning (around 7:00 AM) to avoid 3-hour security lines.