Coming as a significant boost to the local business, Rome saw a record-breaking footfall of 33.5 million tourists during the Catholic Holy Year. The celebration was punctuated by the unique presence of two popes and expansive city renovations. Some frustrated residents opposed the construction happening in the city. But the event was marked as a major economic driver and city transformation.
The Vatican and Italian officials confirmed that a record has been set during the Catholic Holy Year, where 33.5 million pilgrims visited Rome in 2025. This has come as a boon to the museums, restaurants and local tourist shops.
Holy years occur every 25 years. The time centres around peace, brotherhood, forgiveness and pardon. Pilgrims travelling to Rome can see the Pope in the special audiences and enter through the “Holy Doors” at the Roman Basilicas. The Vatican’s lead jubilee official, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, stated at the news conference that the world has come to Rome and the jubilee has been a driving force that has boosted local business and not a losing investment.
3.7 billion euros of the European and State funds were spent on the maintenance of the tourist sites for the occasion. The same year, the Catholics could also experience a special indulgence or remission of sins. Rome saw visitors and pilgrims from the United States, Spain, Brazil and Poland.
Over 3200 Construction Projects in Rome
Rome is temporarily transformed into a mega-construction site where the state and the European Board are re-shaping the historical city. Over the past 2 years, 3,200 project sites include a new underpass near the Vatican, a subway system update and restoring the famous Trevi Fountain.
The jubilee occurs once every 25 years; a special jubilee is expected in 2033 as a part of the celebrations to mark 2,000 of the death of Lord Jesus.
2025- The first jubilee in 300 years with two Popes
The previous record was 25 million in the 2000 holy year. Hundreds of Jubilee construction projects will continue in Rome beyond the end of the Holy Year.
In contrast to the scale of the celebration, many renters were left frustrated as the rental market saturated the landlords to cash in on short-term rentals for pilgrims.
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