Rome not yet ready for Roman Catholic Jubilee Year

rome - The city of Rome is facing challenges in preparing for the Roman Catholic Jubilee Year in 2025, despite the Vatican being ready for the event.

The Roman Catholic Church will celebrate its jubilee in 2025. While the Vatican is prepared for this momentous occasion, the city of Rome is not quite there yet. The doors of the three other papal basilicas in Rome will open later. More than thirty million pilgrims from around the world are expected to visit next year, following along with a free digital pilgrim card that also offers discounts on public transportation, accommodations, and cultural events. The Jubilee Year will last until January 6, 2026, when the final Holy Door is closed.

Rome, however, is still a construction site. Upon arrival at the Roma Termini train station, one can see that the large square in front of it, Piazza dei Cinquecento, where bus stops are usually located, remains undeveloped. According to the Italian financial and economic newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, out of the 323 works planned in preparation for the Jubilee Year, only 62 have been completed so far.

Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, explains that the financing for all Jubilee projects had to wait until the Meloni government took office two years ago and agreed to it. There was limited time. Additionally, the funding is spread over the coming years; only 40 percent could be spent this year. Therefore, not everything was required to be finished by the Jubilee Year's opening. Each work has its own deadlines for completion. Furthermore, many of the projects are only indirectly related to the Jubilee Year or have nothing to do with it. For instance, the central square in Rome, Piazza Venezia, is a construction site due to the ongoing construction of a new metro line that will not be completed for another ten years.

The restoration of Bernini's famous Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona in central Rome has just been completed. The iconic Trevi Fountain has also reopened. Works are being finalized on a new underpass at Piazza Pia, connected to St. Peter's Square by Via della Conciliazione. Long marble planters have been installed on both sides of Via della Conciliazione, where palm trees and cicadas are being planted. The wide road leading directly to St. Peter's Square is bustling with people from around the world. Homeless individuals can be seen arguing near the Vatican press center.

On St. Peter's Square itself, a Christmas tree and a large nativity scene stand. Four young women from the Northern Italian town of Castelnuovo Rangone engage in lively conversation on the square. They have varying perspectives on the significance of the Jubilee Year. Giulia (21) plans to bring her scout group of 12- to 16-year-olds next April because it adds value to their experience alongside reading the Gospel or catechism together. Her friend Beatrice recalls how impressive she found previous youth days in Rome, considering returning. The other two, Carlotta and Eleonora, are not religious themselves but acknowledge the importance of the year to believers.

The Jubilee Year's origin lies in Judaism, specifically in the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament. The word 'jubilee' comes from the Hebrew 'jobel', meaning ram's horn. It was blown to herald the holy year, although the actual celebration of a Jubilee Year in Judaism remains unclear. The first Jubilee Year in the Roman Catholic Church was established in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII and is commemorated every 25 years.

This year's theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope'. The Pope aims to instill hope in all, including prisoners. As a symbolic gesture on Boxing Day, he will open a fifth door at the Rebibbia prison in Rome, in addition to those at the four papal basilicas, calling for forgiveness, a central concept in each Jubilee Year. Once again, he will advocate for the forgiveness of debts owed by impoverished countries.

Throughout the Jubilee Year, the Pope will focus on various groups. Between July 28 and August 3, about 1.5 million young people from around the globe are expected to gather in Rome. Despite objections from conservative Catholics, a Jubilee Day for the LGBTQ community is scheduled for September 6. Pope Francis seeks to embrace all and exclude none. October will witness a Jubilee Day for migrants. In total, 62 special events will take place across the Jubilee Year.

The major question remains whether Rome can accommodate over 30 million additional visitors. Nonetheless, numerous extra accommodations will be available in religious lodgings in Rome, such as monasteries and abbeys, where pilgrims can immerse themselves in the right atmosphere.