There have been hundreds of groups of believersThe number of pilgrims who started out from the new Piazza Pia, with the cross of the Jubilee The Vatican Press Office informed the Vatican Press Room that the Pope was in the Vatican Basilica, and that he was praying along the Via della Conciliazione, until he arrived at the Basilica.
"It is a very significant beginning," commented Msgr. Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, which is entrusted with the organization of the Jubilee, "with a great influx of people. The groups crowding the Via della Conciliazione are giving an important witness, and this is also a sign of the great perception of safety and security that pilgrims experience in the city of Rome and around the four papal basilicas".
Given the figures of the first days, a steady increase in the number of pilgrims is expected, the note adds. "Certainly, in these first two weeks there have been some difficulties in the management of the flows that must be evaluated over time," added Archbishop Fisichella, "but the Dicastery is working tirelessly to guarantee pilgrims a welcome and an experience up to their expectations."
Thousands of people at the celebrations
All over the world, in fact, preparations are underway to reach Rome in the coming months, with many children, young people, adults and the elderly having already entered into the Jubilee atmosphere with the opening celebrations of the Holy Year held in all dioceses on December 29, 2024.
Since January 5, with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the faithful can cross the four Holy Doors of the Roman Papal Basilicas: in addition to St. Paul's, the Doors of St. Peter's in the Vatican, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major.
To make a pilgrimage to the Holy Doors, given the long lines of faithful, it is necessary to book in advance on the Jubilee website, iubilaeum2025.va
On the days of the opening celebrations of the Holy Doors, thousands of people filled the pontifical basilicas. The first major event of the Holy Year will be the Communication Jubileefrom January 24 to 26.
