ROME – Rome has wrapped up its most ambitious construction projects ahead of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, marking the completion of thousands of public works designed to accommodate the millions of pilgrims and tourists expected during the event. On Monday, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri inaugurated a key new road junction near the Vatican, a centerpiece of the city’s €85 million ($88.4 million) overhaul.
The new underpass, located near the medieval Castel Sant’Angelo, redirects traffic underground, making way for a pedestrian-friendly zone extending from the Tiber River to St. Peter’s Basilica, the spiritual heart of Catholicism. This is one of 3,200 public construction projects underway in preparation for the Catholic Jubilee, which will begin this week with Pope Francis presiding over Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s. The event will last until January 6, 2026.
Although these efforts are aimed at enhancing the city’s infrastructure and appeal, they have caused disruptions for residents and tourists. Many historic sites have been hidden behind scaffolding during the works, leading to some frustration. Despite the inconveniences, the Vatican is expecting 32 million visitors during the Holy Year.
The first Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, was proclaimed in 1300 and has since become a significant religious event held every 25 years, offering pilgrims the opportunity to seek special indulgences. Mayor Gualtieri celebrated the completion of the underpass, highlighting that construction workers had worked around the clock for 450 days to meet the tight deadline. “The Jubilee will now give Rome a new beautiful public square,” he said.
In addition to the new road projects, Rome has invested €3.7 billion from state and European funds to improve tourist sites, parks, and public amenities. The famous Trevi Fountain, for instance, was restored and reopened to the public just days ago. Under the new layout, the Via della Conciliazione, a key boulevard leading toward the Vatican, will be transformed into a pedestrian-only “pilgrims’ path,” expected to accommodate up to 100,000 visitors daily.