So, you’ve decided to brave the divine chaos that is the 2024-2025 Vatican Jubilee Year. Congratulations! You’re about to dive headfirst into what promises to be the most celestial stampede Rome has ever seen. Tens of millions of pilgrims and curious wanderers are flocking to Rome this year, turning it into the spiritual equivalent of Times Square on New Year’s Eve—but with more incense and less Andy Cohen. Buckle up, because navigating this divine madness requires a blend of patience, savvy planning, and maybe even a touch of divine intervention.
What the Jubilee Year Actually Is
The Jubilee Year is a global pilgrimage to Rome hosted by the Catholic Church. Every 25 years, the city transforms into a holy hotspot, offering blessings, indulgences, and more religious festivities than you can shake a rosary at. Under the guidance of Pope Francis, it’s all about mercy and inclusion.
The opening ceremony in December drew over half a million pilgrims, signaling that this year might very well be Rome’s busiest in history. The official Jubilee website is the go-to resource on what’s happening, including special masses and services. It’s worth checking the dates you’re visiting (or considering) Rome and planning accordingly.
Sure, the Jubilee Year is going to be a logistical nightmare wrapped in a spiritual extravaganza, but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether you’re there for the faith, the culture, or just the sheer adventure of navigating Rome’s busiest year yet, there’s something uniquely rewarding about surviving—and thriving—in the chaos. In that spirit, make the most of your trip:
• Book Your Accommodations Yesterday: Back in the day, pilgrims used to sleep on the street to save cash. If you don’t figure out where you’re staying, you could face the same fate. Rome doesn’t have nearly enough rooms to match the number of visitors, so book one of my recs ASAP. If Rome’s heart feels too congested, consider crashing in a nearby town with train access like Marino, Frascati, Bracciano, or Tivoli. Ostia is also incredibly cool and getting to central Rome from there is a cinch. The regional lines FL1, FL2, etc, reach all sorts of destinations in Lazio near and far (map here).
• Patience and Flexibility: Rome’s going to test your limits. Embrace the chaos, take deep breaths, and maybe practice some mindfulness (or just keep reminding yourself that it’s all temporary).
• Plan Ahead: Book museum tickets and restaurant reservations well in advance. Have a game plan, but don’t be shocked if it goes out the window. Flexibility is your new best friend.
• Visit New Neighborhoods: Get off the beaten track. Parla Tours can help! We have a number of itineraries designed specifically to beat the crowds this year. Get in touch!
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on the Jubilee website, download the official app, and follow the Holy Father on X (formerly Twitter) for official updates.
• Dress Code: Rome’s churches aren’t the place for tank tops and shorts. Dress modestly, or risk being shunned by the holy authorities.
• Behavioral Etiquette: Keep it classy in sacred spaces.
If you’re faithful, postponing a trip to 2026 is a non-starter. If you aren’t Catholic and wary of the crowds, I get it. I’m scared. I’m not going to tell you to postpone your trip because I don’t think 2026 is going to be so chill either. So if you are planning a visit in 2025–or literally any time in the future, regardless of Catholic events–be prepared for a bit of chaos:
• Road Congestion: Forget the scenic drives; the traffic sitch would test even Job’s patience.
• Public Transit Overhaul: More bus and train routes are expected to ease the flow, but sardine-like conditions are still likely.
• Pedestrian Zones: Some streets will close to cars, turning them into human highways. Good luck weaving through the masses if you’re in a hurry.
• Taxi Tax: Rome has a shockingly low number of cabs on the road. The custom of overcharging clients was already a local pastime and promises to be even worse this year as everyone’s hustling to make a buck. Use an app like itTaxi to plan your journeys but don’t count on finding cars at peak times. Uber is also super unreliable. My 2 centesimi? Lime e-bikes and scooters are an efficient and environmentally sustainable way to get around.
• Peak Times: Weekends and holy days are like the Black Friday of religious events. If you can dodge the busiest times, you might just survive with your sanity intact
A few more tips:
• Minimize Waste: Bring reusable bottles and bags.
• Support Local Economy: Buy from local businesses to keep Rome’s economy humming. I have so many recommendations on my site and in my Saltete Guide to Rome.
• Respect Heritage Sites: Treat Rome’s ancient landmarks like your grandma’s house—handle with care and don’t leave a mess.
• Eco-friendly Transportation: Walk or take public transit to cut down on traffic and pollution. Your carbon footprint can take a holy break.
Here are some ways you can participate in the Jubilee:
• Get the Pilgrim’s Card: The Pilgrim’s Card is a free, digital, and personalized tool designed to enhance your Jubilee experience. With this card, you can plan your visit to the Holy Door and participate in Jubilee events. It also provides special discounts on transportation, accommodations, dining, mobility services, and cultural activities
To obtain your Pilgrim’s Card, you must register through the official registration portal or the official Jubilee app. After completing the registration process, you will receive a personal QR code and gain access to your own account on the app, where you can sign for your pilgrimage to the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica and all the other main events of the Jubilee.
• Jubilee Visa: A special “Tourism-Jubilee” visa is available for those participating in pilgrimages to Rome organized by local churches. The visa is usually short-term, allowing for stays in Italy for the duration of the pilgrimage. The exact length of stay can vary, but it is typically limited to the time required to participate in the pilgrimage activities.
• The Pilgrimage to the Seven Churches: San Filippo Neri introduced the tradition of the pilgrimage to the Seven Churches in the 16th century, establishing it as one of Rome’s most enduring practices. This spiritual journey spans around 16 miles (25 kilometers), taking pilgrims through the Roman countryside, the ancient catacombs, and several of the city’s most renowned basilicas. These include St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls.
• Volunteering: For those of legal age seeking an active way to engage with the upcoming Holy Year, there is an opportunity to assist the many pilgrims traveling to Rome to pass through the Holy Door. Volunteers can dedicate their time for a week or more, as well as during specific Jubilee events, gaining a unique experience by providing help and information to those in need along the pilgrimage routes to the Holy Doors of the four Papal Basilicas.
Closing out with some fun Jubilee facts:
• The very first Holy Year was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. It was such a success that it reportedly brought over 200,000 pilgrims to Rome, an astronomical number for the time!
• The 2025 logo features four stylized figures representing humanity, emerging from the four corners of the Earth. These figures embrace one another, symbolizing the solidarity and brotherhood that unite all people. At the forefront, one figure holds a cross, signifying both faith and hope. Below them, waves in motion reflect the journey of life, reminding us that it is often marked by challenges that test our strength and resilience.
• For the first time in the history of an ordinary Jubilee, a Holy Door was opened inside a prison—the Rebibbia prison in Rome. On December 26, 2024, Pope Francis led a solemn ceremony in the prison chapel, offering inmates the opportunity to symbolically partake in the journey of penance and spiritual renewal central to the Holy Year.
Final Sermon
The Vatican Jubilee Year is not just a religious event; it’s a grand spectacle of human faith and perseverance. For all you brave souls venturing to Rome, remember: It’s going to be crowded, it’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be unforgettable. Embrace the madness, keep your sense of humor intact, and may your pilgrimage be as smooth as a well-rehearsed Gregorian chant.
