Over 33 million pilgrims and a concerted effort between institutions, the so-called "Jubilee method," which appears to have worked and could be repeated for other major events. The 2025 Jubilee concludes with satisfaction from both the Vatican and the Italian authorities.

Today marks the final act: Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, with President Sergio Mattarella also present. The page will then be turned, and we are already looking ahead to 2033, when the Church will celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of the Redemption. Begun with Pope Francis and continued with Leo XIV, in a relay race unprecedented in history, the 2025 Jubilee saw 33,475,369 pilgrims from around the world flock to Rome. The most popular event was the one in early August, with over a million young people. One in three pilgrims was Italian, but over 12% came from the United States, perhaps in the wake of the enthusiasm of the first North American Pope.

But there are groups from all continents, from Poland to Peru (Leo's other 'homeland'), from China to the Philippines, from Indonesia to Australia.

"The Jubilee is coming to an end, but the many signs of hope remain," commented Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and, above all, the "director" of this great event. "They have been offered, and the horizon is broadening to support a future filled with peace and serenity, as everyone desires. The 35 major events, such as the daily pilgrimage, have demonstrated a dynamic Church, on a journey that is capable of looking realistically at the challenges before it, yet always confident."

Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano emphasized the teamwork of the various institutions : "This year, we could help improve the national patent ranking by filing a new patent developed by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers during the Jubilee Year: the Jubilee method. As a government, we are re-proposing its essence to address many other previously unsolved challenges."

The Roman authorities' assessment was positive. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri emphasized that "the Jubilee was a catalyst for the city, for its transformation, with an eye to the world, because the joy the pilgrims brought touched the hearts of the Romans, who in turn showed their welcome."

Lazio Regional President Francesco Rocca is already looking ahead to 2033: "We need to start planning early, and the Jubilee method will help us do this." Meanwhile, Prefect Lamberto Giannini recalled that 2025, in terms of security, was "an extremely challenging year, not only for the Jubilee but also for the events surrounding what was happening around the world."

(Unioneonline)

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