Guide to the 2025 Jubilee in Rome

The 2025 Jubilee marks an exceptional year in Rome, Italy, and Vatican City. During this year-long event, those of the Catholic faith are granted the special opportunity to seek plenary indulgence through pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica and other historic churches in Rome. Witnessing the storied traditions of the Jubilee can be a fascinating and powerful experience for travelers, but as with any major event, it will likely cause some changes that may impact your visit. In this guide, we’ll break down the 2025 Jubilee in Rome and share what you can expect for your upcoming trip.

What is the 2025 Jubilee in Rome?

The Jubilee is a year-long religious event that draws Catholic pilgrims to Vatican City and Rome.

The Jubilee or Guibileo, is a holy year in the Catholic Church in which pilgrims are granted plenary indulgence and forgiveness for their sins. During the celebration, pilgrims are invited to embark on a spiritual journey of worship and prayer through the churches of Rome, Italy, and Vatican City. Pilgrims are also able to pass through the Holy Doors located within the city’s four major papal basilicas which are opened exclusively for the occasion.

As per tradition, the pope declares the occurrence of the Jubilee the year prior through the publication of a papal Bull of Indiction. To mark the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis issued a letter to the president of the Pontifical Council, stating that the theme for the upcoming Jubilee would be Pilgrims of Hope. The last ordinary Jubilee to take place was held in the year 2000 by Pope John Paul II. An extraordinary Jubilee dedicated to mercy, however, was also declared in 2015 by Pope Francis in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council.

Origins of the tradition date back to the year 1300 when the first Jubilee was announced under Pope Boniface VIII who proclaimed that pilgrims who visited the basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul a certain number of times across the year would be granted plenary indulgence. Over the centuries, the Jubilee became a custom that would take place every fifty years, then every twenty-five years, with the exception of extraordinary Jubilees which could be raised under special circumstances.

When is the 2025 Jubilee in Rome?

The Jubilee will take place throughout the entire year of 2025 and will commence just a few days before the new year begins.

Contrary to what you may expect, the Vatican Jubilee will actually kick off in 2024 on Christmas Eve, just a few days before the new year. On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis will commence the Jubilee by opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. In 2025, Jubilee festivities will take place throughout the entire year, allowing pilgrims and travelers alike a generous window of time to partake in the proceedings.

On certain dates, Jubilee celebrations will cater toward different groups such as artists, deacons, teenagers, marching bands, migrants, prisoners, and more. You can find a full list of important Jubilee dates and events on the Jubilee events calendar. Note that the Vatican Jubilee 2025, will conclude with the closing of the Holy Doors at the end of the year on December 24, 2025.

Why is There Construction in Rome?

In preparation for the Jubilee, many sites and monuments in Rome are undergoing renovations.

If you’ve visited the Eternal City recently, you may be wondering: Why is Rome under construction right now? In preparation for the influx of visitors expected to attend the Jubilee of 2025, the city has been undergoing massive renovations. As a result, several fountains and buildings have been boarded up as conservators carefully clean and repair them.

Heading to Rome before the Jubilee? Don’t stress too much about the ongoing construction, as there are still plenty of beautiful monuments and landmarks that remain unobstructed, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the city. Though the renovation works may cause inconvenience now, most of the projects aim to be finished before the Jubilee year begins in 2025. Once completed, these sites will look better than ever!

Note that some of the construction in Rome is also due to renovations of public transportation systems. While some transit lines and metro stations have been closed for upgrades with the intent to reopen before the Jubilee in Rome, 2025, other construction sites such as Piazza Venezia may not return to their normal appearance until a much later date. This is because the city is building a new underground metro line, an extensive project designed to better connect the city.

What is There to Do During the Jubilee?

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Rome during the Jubilee year, you can visit the Holy Doors within the city’s four major papal basilicas which open up exclusively for the event.

You could spend a lifetime in Rome, and still find new and exciting things to do. During the Jubilee year, you’ll have even more options for activities to add to your travel itinerary! Besides participating in official events marked on the Jubilee events calendar, you can also visit the four Holy Doors which are only opened during Jubilee years.

The most famous Holy Door is located at the entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, but there are also Holy Doors nestled within the three other major papal basilicas in Rome: St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major. Another way to partake in Jubilee tradition, is embarking on a pilgrimage to other churches in Rome. Did you know that there are more than nine-hundred churches in the city that each boast their own fascinating history, spectacular artworks and sacred relics?

The Jubilee year is also a wonderful time to explore the other wonders of Vatican City. To make the most out of your visit, we recommend joining a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. With the expertise of a dedicated tour guide, you’ll make your way through the top things to see in Vatican City while delving deep into history and learning more about the 2025 Vatican Jubilee. Please note, however, that St. Peter’s Basilica is an active parish and especially in 2025, it will often be closed. Of course, the other many famous sites of Rome such as the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain will remain open during the Jubilee, so there will always be an abundance of things to do.

What Should I Expect During the Jubilee?

Though the Jubilee may attract large crowds, it will also grant you the ability to have a unique experience at the heart of the Catholic Church.

Ever since its establishment in the year 1300, the Catholic Jubilee has drawn large numbers of pilgrims from around the world to Rome and Vatican City. As a result, high volumes of crowds are to be expected in 2025. The wait time to enter St. Peter’s Basilica and the other papal basilicas in Rome will likely be directly impacted as visitors make their way toward the Holy Doors. To avoid the long queues, try to arrive as early as possible. For more advice about visiting the Vatican, check out our list of top tips for Visiting Vatican City.

With more visitors headed to Rome, we also recommend booking your accommodation, flights and train tickets as soon as you know your travel dates to get the lowest prices. Be sure to reserve skip-the-line tickets and tours in advance as well, as tickets to major attractions such as the Vatican Museums, Colosseum and Borghese Gallery will likely sell out fast. Another tip is to book meal reservations a week or so ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary waiting.

Despite the crowds, it’s always possible to find refuge off the beaten path in Rome. We strongly suggest that you explore the hidden gems of the Eternal City for an intimate and impactful experience away from the tourist hotspots.

Discover the Wonders of Italy and Vatican City With Us!

Thanks for reading our guide to the Jubilee year in Rome, 2025. We hope you find this information valuable for your upcoming trip!

Visiting Rome and Vatican City soon? Be sure to check out our expert-led Rome tours, Colosseum tours, day trips from Rome and our top-rated Vatican Tours! For any questions or assistance with booking, kindly reach out to our team via email at info@whatalifetours.com or by phone at +39 06 89 111 009 and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.