35 million pilgrims to descend upon Rome in 2025
In just a matter of months, millions of pilgrims will make their way to Rome for Jubilee, the Catholic celebration that only happens once every 25 years.
The upcoming Jubilee, deemed the Jubilee of Hope, is expected to attract 35 million people over the duration of 2025. The event starts in January and goes through December with the peak influx of crowds coming at the opening and closing ceremonies and major religious feasts, but Rome’s Deputy Mayor of Mobility, Eugenio Patanè, says Rome is up for the challenge: “Like all capitals, we are constantly under the pressure from tourism and frequent mega events. Rome is a city where we embrace these challenges and welcome visitors, so these big events don’t scare us. We know how to adapt to the pressure.”
Rome is a city where we embrace these challenges and welcome visitors, so these big events don’t scare us. We know how to adapt to the pressure
The last Jubilee (excluding the exceptional 2016 edition) occurred in 2000 and brought 80 million visitors to the city over the year. In recent years, Rome has successfully hosted events like the Six Nations Rugby Championship. The city even has a slogan to encourage fans to leave their cars behind and choose more sustainable options: ‘RomaGiocaSostenibile’, or “when in Rome, go sustainable”.
Ahead of the game, Rome’s public transport agency, ATAC, coordinated by Roma Servizi per la Mobilità, boosted the number of trams and buses running to the stadium, provided dozens of bike racks to ensure cyclists could park safely, and shared mobility operators even offered discounts and promotions for rugby fans headed to the stadium.
Jubilee of Hope brings hope for more sustainable mobility
The theme of hope for the upcoming Jubilee applies even to the perspective of urban mobility, given the significant improvements it promises. While the huge influx of pilgrims will undoubtedly put a strain on the mobility network, Rome is using this test of resilience to its advantage.
Given the scale and duration of the Jubilee, effective coordination between local, regional, and national authorities is crucial. Patanè, emphasises the importance of this collaboration, “every institution must work together because if we don’t, we would have serious trouble.” This cohesive approach ensures that all levels of government are aligned in managing the city’s mobility needs during the event.
Every institution must work together because if we don't, we would have serious trouble
In anticipation of the event, the city has received €530 million dedicated to mobility from the Italian government. These funds will be divided equally across four clusters:
- Increasing the quality and quantity of public transport;
- Promoting sustainability and intermodality;
- Advancing active mobility, including cycling, pedestrian infrastructure, and micromobility;
- Leveraging technological innovation to support sustainability policies.
Romans will reap the long-term benefits
This focus on mobility means Romans will benefit from these improvements long after Jubilee. The renewal of the metro infrastructure is one of their most ambitious projects. Much of the underground infrastructure hasn’t been updated in over 100 years. To address this issue, Patanè and his team are updating 27 stations of line A to be more functional and beautiful. As for line C, it’s getting two new stations.
Patanè explains that the tram system in Rome has historically been neglected, but not anymore. The city has purchased 121 trams and is upgrading all the current depots. In the next two years, the city will add four new tram lines. As for buses, by 2025 smart bus shelters and hundreds of new electronic bollards are coming to bus stops across the city.
Cyclists too will benefit. The ‘Grande Raccordo Anulare delle Bici’ or ‘GRAB’ is a bike path designed to support Rome’s sustainable mobility goals by expanding the cycling network, enhancing connections with the public transportation system, increasing urban accessibility, facilitating the development of 10-minute neighbourhoods, and promoting sustainable, ‘slow’ tourism.
The cycling and pedestrian path goes around the historical centre of Rome and can bring pilgrims straight from the hill of Monte Testaccio to the Vatican. It will traverse the old railway bridge leading to the Vatican to create a unique route. The project also includes the complete renovation of the Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, transforming it into a modern and accessible pathway. Additionally, the path will pass under another significant Roman monument and emerge near the Vatican area, continuing along the Vatican Promenade close to St. Peter’s Basilica.
“The route, though only about 1.5 kilometres long, is highly significant. It will provide a safe and autonomous way for pilgrims arriving from the north to reach the Vatican. This short stretch will connect several key transport nodes, including Metro Line A and various railway stops.
“While the distance covered by this cycle path may be modest, the focus is on quality rather than quantity. This project is crucial for Rome and we want to see it become an international attraction, like New York’s High Line. By revitalising the old railway tunnel and the now-abandoned bridge, this initiative promises to be a stunning addition to the city’s infrastructure.”
To further ensure safety of pedestrians and cyclists, Rome is also implementing ‘isole ambientali,’ designated areas where vehicles are forced to drive at lower speeds and even ban them completely in some areas. “We are prioritising much of the historic city centre to completely pedestrianise many of the historic squares and little streets of ancient Rome,” he says.
Technology will play a vital role in managing mobility during the Jubilee. The city’s mobility center, in continuous interaction with the local police, monitors traffic flows in real-time. Patanè explains, “The technology we have adopted allows us to provide open data, making information available on travel times, public transport waiting times, and traffic forecasts.” This real-time data is crucial for effectively managing the expected increase in traffic and ensuring smooth transportation for both residents and visitors.
The project propelling Rome’s public transport
Upper has been crucial to increasing the modal share...
Rome is currently involved in several of Eurocities’ EU-funded mobility projects like Move21, User-Chi and Upper. Patanè unpacks what each one brings to the table: “These three projects emphasise innovation in a different area, but when it comes to public transport, Upper has been crucial to increasing the modal share as well as the perceived customer satisfaction and will advance in the deployment of zero-emission zones starting from city centre towards the outskirts according to a roadmap.
“Through this rapid development of public transport and mobility management policies, we’re accelerating decarbonisation in our own city. Upper gives us an important opportunity to share and learn best practices to improve our mobility vision and even more so, our operative plan.”
Beyond Jubilee, Romans are hopeful about what the city will become after all these changes
Starting in November, Rome’s 180 km² low emission zone will be in place. Controlled by 50 electronic gates, this is one of the largest in Europe. The city will also implement an area congestion charge for non-residents to further disincentivise car traffic.
Looking forward, Patanè says Romans are excited for the changes, “beyond Jubilee, Romans are hopeful about what the city will become after all these changes.”
