The Jubilee of Hope concludes: over 33 million pilgrims in Rome
Photo by Federico Scarionati on Unsplash
With the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter's on January 6, 2026, the Holy Year of Hope ended, with 90.400 pilgrims a day from 185 countries.
The Jubilee of Hope officially concluded on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the last Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
The Holy Year gradually concluded with the closing of the four Holy Doors of the Roman papal basilicas: the first to be closed was that of Santa Maria Maggiore on December 25, 2025, followed by the Holy Door of Saint John Lateran on December 27, and the Holy Door of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls on December 28.
The final numbers of the Jubilee 2025 were presented in a press conference “Balance of the Jubilee event, chaired by HE Mons. Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization which took place on January 5, 2026 at the Vatican Press Office.
The numbers far exceeded initial forecasts. Between 33,4 and 33,8 million pilgrims passed through the Holy Doors during the 358 days of the Holy Year, with a daily average of 90.400. This figure swept conservative estimates of 31,7 million. Pilgrims came from 185 countries, with the majority coming from Europe (62,63%), followed by North America (16,54%), and South America (9,44%).
Monsignor Fisichella, in drawing up the balance, underlined how "the feared danger that the presence of pilgrims would have caused a decrease in tourists has been completely denied by the results". The Jubilee instead represented a "flywheel that has increased and will develop in the future a general growth” for Rome and Italy.
Two peaks of particular attendance characterised the Holy Year: the period of the death of Pope Francis and the Conclave (April 21 - May 8) with 3,9 million pilgrims, and the Youth Jubilee (July 28-August 3), which attracted over 13 million attendees. These events represented particularly intense moments of grace for the global ecclesial community.
The spiritual dimension was at the centre of the Jubilee: “Papal basilicas and other prayer centers such as the Scala Santa have seen unprecedented attendance. Confessions have increased, and the Jubilee celebration of forgiveness has reached all corners of the globe.i”, highlighted Monsignor Fisichella.
In addition to the spiritual numbers, the Jubilee left a concrete legacy to the city of Rome. Of the 332 planned interventions, 204 have been completed or partially completed, with 90% of the "essential and non-deferrable" interventions completed. Piazza Pia won first place at The Plan Award 2025, while the Monte Ciocci cycle/pedestrian path was awarded a European Green Award.[2]
Seven thousand volunteers served during the Holy Year, testifying to a dynamic Church capable of facing contemporary challenges with realism and confidence. As Monsignor Fisichella concluded, "The journey is not over. It was only a significant stage, but a preparatory one for another event of grace that will need to be prepared with foresight.".
Resources
- Official website of the Jubilee 2025
- Video of the Press Conference “Balance of the Jubilee event” and video of the
- Closing of the Holy Door and Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 6, 2026
Image
- Picture of Federico Scarionati su Unsplash
With the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter's on January 6, 2026, the Holy Year of Hope ended, with 90.400 pilgrims a day from 185 countries.
The Jubilee of Hope officially concluded on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the last Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
The Holy Year gradually concluded with the closing of the four Holy Doors of the Roman papal basilicas: the first to be closed was that of Santa Maria Maggiore on December 25, 2025, followed by the Holy Door of Saint John Lateran on December 27, and the Holy Door of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls on December 28.
The final numbers of the Jubilee 2025 were presented in a press conference “Balance of the Jubilee event, chaired by HE Mons. Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization which took place on January 5, 2026 at the Vatican Press Office.
The numbers far exceeded initial forecasts. Between 33,4 and 33,8 million pilgrims passed through the Holy Doors during the 358 days of the Holy Year, with a daily average of 90.400. This figure swept conservative estimates of 31,7 million. Pilgrims came from 185 countries, with the majority coming from Europe (62,63%), followed by North America (16,54%), and South America (9,44%).
Monsignor Fisichella, in drawing up the balance, underlined how "the feared danger that the presence of pilgrims would have caused a decrease in tourists has been completely denied by the results". The Jubilee instead represented a "flywheel that has increased and will develop in the future a general growth” for Rome and Italy.
Two peaks of particular attendance characterised the Holy Year: the period of the death of Pope Francis and the Conclave (April 21 - May 8) with 3,9 million pilgrims, and the Youth Jubilee (July 28-August 3), which attracted over 13 million attendees. These events represented particularly intense moments of grace for the global ecclesial community.
The spiritual dimension was at the centre of the Jubilee: “Papal basilicas and other prayer centers such as the Scala Santa have seen unprecedented attendance. Confessions have increased, and the Jubilee celebration of forgiveness has reached all corners of the globe.i”, highlighted Monsignor Fisichella.
In addition to the spiritual numbers, the Jubilee left a concrete legacy to the city of Rome. Of the 332 planned interventions, 204 have been completed or partially completed, with 90% of the "essential and non-deferrable" interventions completed. Piazza Pia won first place at The Plan Award 2025, while the Monte Ciocci cycle/pedestrian path was awarded a European Green Award.[2]
Seven thousand volunteers served during the Holy Year, testifying to a dynamic Church capable of facing contemporary challenges with realism and confidence. As Monsignor Fisichella concluded, "The journey is not over. It was only a significant stage, but a preparatory one for another event of grace that will need to be prepared with foresight.".
Resources
- Official website of the Jubilee 2025
- Video of the Press Conference “Balance of the Jubilee event” and video of the
- Closing of the Holy Door and Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, January 6, 2026
Image
- Picture of Federico Scarionati su Unsplash
Photo by Federico Scarionati on Unsplash
