Rome welcomes over a million pilgrims as the Holy Year begins
The authorities in Rome announced that over a million pilgrims visited the city in the first month of the Holy Year. This unique event attracts not only the faithful but also tourists from all over the world, and the numbers are quite impressive.
Data presented by city authorities confirm that the Holy Year in Rome, which occurs every 25 years, has begun with enormous interest. The Holy Doors are opened in four papal basilicas during this extraordinary jubilee, allowing the faithful to pass through. The celebration will last until 6 January 2026.
Pilgrims flock to Rome
In just one month, more than a million pilgrims have arrived in the Eternal City, eager to enter the Holy Doors of the Vatican Basilica and other significant churches.
During a special session at the Roman Capitol, Mariano Angelucci, the chairman of the tourism commission, emphasised that this number refers exclusively to those arriving for religious reasons. He also noted that since the end of January, the city has seen an increased influx of tourists, further boosting the local economy.
Angelucci assured that Rome is well-prepared to accommodate this large number of guests. "There is no reason to worry about chaos," he stated, adding that the situation in the city has significantly improved after completing many renovations that took place in 2024. Access to many monuments was closed at that time, leading to dissatisfaction among tourists.
The city stresses that it has control over the situation; however, such a large number of visitors does not negate the fact that they translate to crowds at the most popular sites and congestion in public transport, which many travellers complain about.
The largest influx is yet to come
Agostino Miozzo from the Holy Year organising committee added that they receive positive feedback from ambassadors and consuls. The biggest challenge, however, will be the upcoming Youth Jubilee, planned for the end of July and August, when another million people are expected to arrive. City authorities inform that about 450,000 young people are still seeking accommodation for this period.
