-
19:20
-
18:50
-
18:20
-
17:50
-
17:30
-
17:20
-
17:00
-
16:50
-
16:30
-
16:20
-
16:00
-
15:50
-
15:30
-
15:20
-
15:00
-
14:50
-
14:30
-
14:20
-
14:00
-
13:50
-
13:30
-
13:20
-
13:00
-
12:50
-
12:30
-
12:20
-
12:00
-
11:50
-
11:34
-
11:30
-
11:20
-
11:00
-
10:50
-
10:30
-
10:20
-
10:00
-
09:50
-
09:30
-
09:20
-
09:00
-
08:50
-
08:30
-
08:20
-
08:00
-
07:50
-
07:30
-
07:00
Rome draws record 33.5 million pilgrims for Holy Year
The Vatican announced Monday that 33.5 million pilgrims visited Rome for the Catholic Holy Year 2025, shattering the previous record of 25 million from the 2000 Jubilee and delivering a major boost to the city's tourism sector. Pope Leo XIV will formally close the Holy Year Tuesday at St. Peter's Basilica, marking the first Jubilee in 300 years opened by one pope and closed by another.
Pope Francis launched the Jubilee on December 24, 2024, by opening St. Peter's Holy Door. The 88-year-old pontiff died April 21, 2025, from a stroke and heart failure. Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected May 8, 2025, as Pope Leo XIV the first American to lead the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church.
"The whole world converged on Rome," said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, who oversaw Jubilee activities for the Vatican, at a Monday press conference. Pilgrims hailed from 185 countries, led by contingents from Italy, the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Poland.
Vatican and Italian officials deemed the 3.7 billion euro investment from state and EU funds money well spent. It funded about 3,200 construction projects, including a new underground passage at Piazza Pia near the Vatican, metro upgrades, and Trevi Fountain restoration.
"The Jubilee acted as a catalyst for the city's transformation," Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told reporters. The Piazza Pia project, unveiled hours before the Jubilee opened, created the city's largest pedestrian zone, holding 150,000 people.
The last Jubilee spanning two popes occurred in 1700, when Pope Clement XI closed one started by Innocent XII. Vatican officials credited Pope Leo's May election with boosting turnout. Holy Years, or Jubilees, occur every 25 years typically, letting pilgrims pass through special Holy Doors at Rome's four major basilicas for plenary indulgences, or full sin forgiveness. Pope Leo XIV announced plans for a special 2033 Jubilee to mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's death and resurrection, hoping for a joint Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
