(ZENIT. News / Vatican City, 08.01.2025).- Just two weeks after the solemn opening of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 on December 24, 545,532 pilgrims from around the world have already crossed the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Hundreds of groups of faithful have already undertaken their pilgrimage, starting from the new Piazza Pia, carrying the Jubilee’s cross and advancing in prayer by the Via della Conciliazione, to reach the Basilica.
“It is a very significant beginning, with a great affluence of people,” said Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who has been entrusted with the organization of the Jubilee. The groups crowding the Via della Conciliazione are giving an important testimony, and this is also a sign of the great perception of security and protection that the pilgrims are experiencing in the city of Rome and around the four Papal Basilicas.” In fact, the close collaboration of the Holy See and the Dicastery continues with the Italian and Vatican Security Forces, as well as with Rome’s Prefecture..
Given the figures of the first days, a constant increase is expected in the number of pilgrims. “Of course, in these first two weeks there have been some difficulties in the management of the flow, which will have to be evaluated over time,” added Monsignor Fisichella, “but the Dicastery is working tirelessly to guarantee a welcome to pilgrims and an experience that lives up to their expectations.” Preparations are taking place throughout the world to arrive in Rome in the coming months, with many children, young people, adults and elderly that have already entered the Jubilee ambience with the celebrations of the opening of the Holy Year, which took place in all dioceses worldwide on December 29, 2024.
Since January 5, with the opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the faithful can cross the four Holy Doors of the Roman Papal Basilicas, in addition to that of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls, those of Saint Peter, Saint John Lateran and Saint Mary Major in the Vatican. Given the long lines of faithful pilgrimaging to the Holy Doors, it is necessary to make reservations ahead of time in the Jubilee Webpage iubilaeum2025.va. The great desire of thousands of people to participate in the Jubilee was also made visible in the thousands that filled the four Papal Basilicas on the days of celebrations for the opening of the Holy Doors, who also often crowded the Squares in from of the Basilicas.
The first great event of the Holy Year will be the Jubilee of the World of Communication, from January 24 to 26. The presence is expected of thousands of journalists, experts and workers in the media worldwide. A Mass is planned for communicators on January 26, presided over by Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Basilica.
