Washington, D.C. Newsroom, 14 February, 2025 / 9:00 am (ACI Africa).
Since Pope Francis marked the beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year, 1.3 million people have passed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, according to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect for the New Evangelization section of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Fisichella made the announcement at a Feb. 7 press conference for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces. The archbishop pointed out, however, that the numbers of pilgrims “are not a criterion of validity for the success of the jubilee. What counts is what is in the hearts of people.”
Holy Doors are usually only designated in the four papal basilicas in Rome — St. Peter’s in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. But this year, Pope Franics also opened another location at Rebibbia prison in Rome.
Besides the Holy Doors, other factors have contributed to the high number of people visiting Rome and other parts of Italy to take part in this year’s celebration.
“The jubilee is one of the major reasons we’re seeing the increased crowds. But also recent surveys show that Italy in general remains among the most popular travel destinations in the world,” Teresa Tomeo, veteran anchor of the EWTN Radio show “Catholic Connection,” Italy travel expert, author of the new book “Italy’s Shrines and Wonders,” and founder of T’s Italy, told CNA.
