1.3 m worshipers pass through the holy door of St. Peter in the first month of anniversary – Catholic news agency

CNA Newsroom, February 13, 2025 / 07:30

Ever since Pope Francis celebrated the beginning of the anniversary year of 2025, 1.3 million people have passed through the Holy Gate of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, according to Archbishop Rino Fissicella, a doctrine for the new section of evangelism of the evangelization dicaster.

Fisicela made a press conference on February 7 of the Jubilee of the Armed Forces. The archbishop, however, pointed out that the number of pilgrims “is not a criterion for validity for the success of the anniversary. What is reported is what is in the hearts of people. “

The Holy Doors are usually marked only in the four papal basilicas in Rome – St. Peter in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Maria Major and St. Paul outside the walls. But this year, Pope Franick also opened another place in the Rebibia Prison in Rome.

In addition to the Holy Doors, other factors have contributed to the large number of people visiting Rome and other parts of Italy to participate in this year’s celebration.

“The anniversary is one of the main reasons to see the enlarged crowds. But recent studies have also shown that as a whole Italy remains among the most popular travel destinations in the world, “Tomeo, a veteran host of radio booking EWTN, Italy and founder of Italy, told CNAS.

“A study found that travelers wanted more than just a Roman or Italian holiday. They are looking for a “transformative” trip, “Tomeo said. “What better place than Italy, given all the incredible and important religious objects, not to mention natural beauty to make change or transformation happen?”

Tomeo, the best-selling author who has led many Italian tours and visited the country more than 60 times, said these pilgrims had the power to strengthen the faith of the traveler.

“At our last worship in October 2024, we had three of our worshipers who tell us that they were so excited or” transformed “by what they were experiencing in Italy that they were returning to the church,” she said.

As the anniversary has begun with such large crowds, the locals and travelers should expect the large volume to continue.

“Easter time and the summer months are always the most busy times of the year in Italy and especially Rome,” Tomeo said. “I don’t think this year will be different. The canonizations of the blessed Carlo Akutis and the blessed Pierre Giorgio Frasatti fall in those time periods and these special events are expected to attract even more big crowds. ”

Tomeo encourages visitors to completely immerse themselves in their anniversary trips.

“Turin is from the place where Blessed is Blessed and is buried and there is so much to offer worshipers with respect to other saints,” she said. “The church, St. John the Baptist, which houses his tomb, is also home to the chapel of Turin’s shroud. Although the cover is not accessible to viewing and tribute during the Jubilee year, the church is breathtaking and Turin is home to another popular saint – St. John Bosco. “

“And then, of course, the medieval and intact city of Assisi and the tomb of Carlo Akutis is a place that deserves more than just a day trip from Rome. Not to mention the surrounding area of ​​Assisi in Umbria and other close saints such as St. Rita from Cassia, St. Claire from the cross in Montefalko and St. Angela from Folinho, “Tomeo said.

The anniversary will continue until January 6, 2026 and more than 30 million pilgrims are expected to make a religious journey to Rome during the Holy Year.