Catholic jubilee: What is it, why are the King and Queen going and should you still travel to Italy? | World News

The king and queen began a three-day visit to Italy, where they will celebrate the Catholic Jubilee year, an event that takes place only every 25 years.

The journey will see Charles and Camilla Attend a series of public and diplomatic events in the capital, Rome and the city of Ravenna.

This year, Rome expects to welcome three times its normal number of visitors – between 30 and 32 million, compared to an average of 10 million – as Catholics travel to the Jubilea to the city, which is a time of pilgrimage, reflection and spiritual renewal.

The Jubilee, also known as the Holy Year, officially began on December 24, 2024 and will last until January 6, 2026.

With great opportunities throughout the year, Rome will be particularly busy – so much that the British foreign office has updated its advice for tourists planning to travel there.

Here is everything you need to know.

What is a jubilee?

A jubilee year is a time for Catholics to “establish a proper relationship with God, each other and with all creation,” according to the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Every jubilee year starts with the Pope On Christmas Eve in the Vatican City, the Holy Doors open at St Peter’s Basilica. It represents the course of sin to grace and new beginning. The pope then opens four sacred doors that remain open all year.

This Jubilee year opened the Pope San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran) on December 29, Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major) on January 1 and St. Paul’s outside the walls on January 5.

For the first time, he also opened a holy door at a prison. He opened one in Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome on December 26 as a gesture of hope for prisoners.

As the pope, the pope has the authority to proclaim any church door as a sacred door.

The purpose of pilgrims traveling to Rome during a Jubilee year is to pass through at least one of the sacred doors.

Why are the royals going?

Despite being the head of the Church of England, the king intended to meet the pope in celebration of the Jubilee year, a meeting that would also have been “an important step forward in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England”, according to Buckingham Palace.

However, because of the 88-year-old Pontiff who recovered from pneumonia, the private meeting between the two has been postponed.

Instead of going to the holy chair – the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican – Charles and Camilla will visit a historical visit to the papal basil of St. Paul’s outside the walls, and the king will become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian parliament.

During the last Jubilee, in 2000, Queen Elizabeth II met with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.

Can I still travel to Italy this year?

Rome is expected to be The British Foreign Office (FCDO) said: ‘Very busy’ through this year, especially if greater jubilee events occur.

In an update on March 17, it advised to check British ItalyEspecially the capital, to plan ahead.

The US Embassy in Italy has also updated its website to say: “Be prepared for crowds and extensive waiting times for transport and access to locations.

“You must book accommodation, transport and attraction cards before the arrival. Rome’s public transport system will be under stress, and regular routes and schedules can change.”

There are opportunities almost every month, with most listed for May and June.

Events aimed at specific groups of people, including families, workers, entrepreneurs and the disabled, will take place, as well as concerts and special exhibitions in the museums of Rome.

The FCDO says people who want to participate in the jubilee or organize a pilgrimage will need a pilgrimage. It is free to download and can be obtained on the Jubilee website or via the official app.

Despite the fact that Italy is busier than usual, Rome and other parts of the country will look their best for the jubilee, after being under construction almost all year.

The capital has put together billions of euros of state and European funds to review tourist sites, transport buttons, parks, streets and even its garbage bins.

Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told Reuters last year that the jubilee was a “inadmissible opportunity to make structural changes … and transform Rome”.

A record of 3200 public construction work was scheduled to take place, including 322 projects that are considered essential for the jubilee.

Tips of a tour guide

Livia, a European tour guide for operator Scott Dunn, said people plan to visit the Italian capital this year, “timing is all”.

She recommends that tourists visit large areas such as the Vatican and Colosseum earlier in the morning, rather than in the afternoon and on weekdays rather than weekends.

Read more:
Pope comes back to Vatican
King returns to official duties

Livia added that the visit of ‘lesser -known neighborhoods to visit some of the more local areas’ will also give tourists a more authentic Roman experience without large crowds.

“Wander the quiet, charming streets of Garbatella and lose yourself in Monti, home to eclectic boutiques and traditional Roman Trattorias,” she said.