Rome rushes to finish construction for Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee

The Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee year has kicked off after a last-minute scramble to complete construction works and amid concerns that millions of pilgrims will cause overcrowding in Rome's city centre.

Pope Francis officially opened the rare event on Christmas Eve with a rite known as the "Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter."

A Jubilee takes place approximately every 25 years and attracts millions of pilgrims to a series of events held over the course of the year.

A 'more modern' Rome 

Just days before the start of the event, metal fencing still lined streets surrounding the Vatican as workers put the finishing touches to newly-upgraded public spaces.

More than $5 billion from the national government and the European Union has been poured into upgrading transport links and other public spaces over the last few years.

"There is a vision, a spiritual significance that makes us doubly responsible for making the most of the tens of millions of pilgrims and for making our city fairer, more modern, more welcoming, more accessible, more inclusive, more sustainable," said Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri at a press conference outlining spending plans in January 2023.

However, the works have tested the patience of many residents in the Italian capital this year. Roads and piazzas have been dug up, public transport links constantly disrupted, with locals complaining that the Eternal City has become an eternal building site.

After the last-minute scramble, Mayor Gulatieri inaugurated newly-refurbished squares and other public spaces just as the Jubilee got under way.

35m pilgrims spark concerns about overcrowding

For the tourism sector in the Italian capital and surrounding areas, the Jubilee represents a huge opportunity. However, many potential visitors have expressed concerns about overcrowding, potentially putting off their holiday in Rome until 2026.

Up to 35 million pilgrims are expected to visit over the course of the Jubilee, matching the total number of tourists who came to the city last year.

However, some tourism experts argue that there has never been a better time to visit.

"We're seeing the completion of so many sites around Rome, Rome is sparkling, Rome is beautiful, it's always beautiful, but now even more than ever," said Elyssa Bernard, who runs the travel website, Romewise.

"I mean, the fountains are absolutely at their cleanest, most beautiful, and I think that anybody coming to Rome in 2025 is going to have a unique opportunity to see Rome at its absolute most beautiful."

The official theme of the 2025 Jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope." The hope among local officials is that the months of disruption from construction works will mean the city can now show its best side to millions of visitors from around the world.