In 2025, the Catholic world is preparing to celebrate an event of great importance: the Jubilee.
If you have always wanted to take a journey that combines faith and tradition, now is the perfect time to do it: walk to Rome

On December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, the Jubilee Year will officially begin.

What is the Jubilee?

For the Catholic Church, this is the year of the remission of sins and reconciliation. During the Jubilee, the Pope grants the gift of plenary indulgence to all those faithful who perform particular religious practices. These actions to be followed are indicated by the pontiff through the Papal Bull: a document written in Latin with which the Jubilee Year is officially proclaimed.

The tradition of establishing a special year seems to have Jewish origins. In fact, every 50 years, a year of rest for the land was celebrated. To formalize its beginning, the sound of a ram's horn was used, the yobel in Hebrew, from which the Christian name Jubilee derives.

The first Holy Year of the Church was established in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII. Over the years, the Jubilee has never had a fixed interval. In fact, some pontiffs have proclaimed extraordinary jubilees on the occasion of special events. In 2015, for example, the centenary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council was celebrated.

The pilgrimage today

In modern times, pilgrimages have gained renewed interest. The Via Francigena offers a unique opportunity to explore not only enchanting natural but also spiritual landscapes to reach Rome on foot.

Pilgrimage allows people to reconnect with their faith, reflect on life's challenges and find inner peace. It is an ancient practice that is still relevant in today's fast-paced world. For the Jubilee of 2025, countless pilgrims will travel the Via Francigena, seeking spiritual renewal.

In fact, walking in the footsteps of pilgrims of the past allows you to learn about the history of the places crossed and connect with the local population. In many small villages crossed by the Via Francigena the tradition of welcoming pilgrims is still deeply rooted.

The last 100km of the Via Francigena: a journey between history and spirituality

As a Tour Operator specialized in active holidays, we strongly believe that walking to Rome during the Jubilee year gives an even deeper meaning to the holiday.For this reason, we have chosen to enrich our offer of itineraries along the Via Francigena by proposing a journey on foot through the last 100 km of the Via Francigena that leads from Montefiascone to Rome.
An eight-day journey that extends for about 130 kilometers, crossing some of the most fascinating and evocative villages of Lazio, places where the past and present intertwine, ideal for those who want to experience the Jubilee at a slow pace and in contact with nature.
It is not just a physical journey, but a true interior experience, which allows you to immerse yourself in a unique historical and religious context, crossing sacred places that for centuries have welcomed pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. Walking the Via Francigena means retracing the footsteps of many pilgrims who in past centuries have crossed these lands with the same purpose: to reach Rome to receive the Pope's blessing.

Via Francigena: A journey on foot to discover the soul of Italy

Walking to Rome and participating in the Jubilee, with its atmosphere of hope and renewal, will be a particularly special moment. The Via Francigena is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Europe which leads from Canterbury to Rome passing through England, France and Switzerland. The Via Francigena allows you to travel on foot on various pilgrimage routes. From the Via Francigena in the south complete the last 100 km starting from Montefiascone. Pilgrims can choose to walk the shortest stretches in Tuscany and Puglia and discover the beauty and curiosities of these wonderful regions. 

  • Live your spirituality:While everyday life becomes increasingly frenetic, spirituality, like a journey on foot, invites you to slow down, to take breaks to listen to your heart and soul;

  • Discover places of great beauty and meaning: Discovering places of great beauty and meaning becomes an opportunity to open your conscience to a broader and more conscious vision of life;

  • Strengthen your community spirit: The journey is also an opportunity to meet other people and share emotions and reflections.

 

Jubilee: advice from Slow Active Tours for walking to Rome

The Holy Year of Christianity will take place from December 24, 2024 to January 6, 2026. If you plan to go to Rome during this period, we have prepared a list of useful information:

  • The city will be very crowded, especially when the biggest events take place. Check the official Jubilee website or download the dedicated app to stay informed about all the initiatives scheduled in Rome;

  • If you plan to take part in the Jubilee, register on the site to obtain the free pilgrim's card (https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/it/carta-del-pellegrino.html ). You will need it to participate in the main Jubilee events and to organize the pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of the 4 Papal Basilicas of Rome: St. Peter's in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

  • The access roads around the city will be very busy. We recommend that you explore your movements over time, especially during major events.  

We invite you to join us on this extraordinary journey, which will accompany you not only towards Rome, but also towards a new inner awareness. May the Jubilee 2025 be an opportunity for deep reflection and a journey that will remain forever in your heart.