Rome has completed a significant phase of construction in preparation for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, set to begin this week. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri officially opened a new road junction near the Vatican on Monday, marking the completion of a centerpiece project worth 85 million euros ($88.4 million). This underpass, located near the medieval Castel Sant’Angelo, redirects traffic underground, allowing for a pedestrian-friendly zone extending from the Tiber River to St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the world’s most visited landmarks.
This project is part of an ambitious plan involving over 3,200 public construction works across the city. With the expectation that 32 million tourists will visit Rome during the Holy Year, preparations have been underway to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and visitors. The Jubilee, which runs from Christmas Eve 2024 to January 6, 2026, will be inaugurated by Pope Francis at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The first Catholic Holy Year was declared in 1300, allowing pilgrims to obtain special indulgences, or remission of sins. Now, it is a major event occurring every 25 years, symbolizing peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The current renovations are meant to enhance the experience for the millions of pilgrims expected to visit the Eternal City.
The new underpass is a crucial part of the city’s transformation. Workers, who began the project in August 2023, worked around the clock for 450 days to complete the junction on time, as the city raced against the clock to finish it ahead of the Jubilee. Mayor Gualtieri praised the construction workers, calling the result a “new beautiful public square” for the city.
The new layout will see much of Via della Conciliazione, the grand avenue leading to the Vatican, transformed into a traffic-free “pilgrims’ path.” The pathway is expected to be used by up to 100,000 visitors daily. Beyond roadworks, Rome has invested 3.7 billion euros in state and European funds to overhaul major tourist sites, parks, and infrastructure, including the restoration of the Trevi Fountain, which reopened to the public this past Sunday.
Rome’s revitalization for the Catholic Jubilee promises to leave a lasting impact on both residents and visitors, as the city prepares to host one of the largest religious events in history.
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