Celebrations are happening across Rome as the Catholic church kicks off its 2025 Jubilee. In anticipation of the massive crowds, many improvements have been made to the city’s infrastructure. However, not all locals welcome those tourists with open arms.
Pope Francis opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica Tuesday, Dec. 24, inaugurating the tradition that happens once every 25 years.
Members of the Catholic church make pilgrimages to Rome for the occasion, with organizers expecting up to 32 million tourists to pass through Rome during the Holy Year –– 10 million more than the previous record high.
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While Jubilee brings a major tourism boost to the city, some Romans are concerned about the increased cost of living. Housing experts told The Washington Post that rent per square foot increased in October by 10% compared with the same month last year, a surge they attribute to Jubilee demand.
Overcrowding and construction disruptions are also top of mind for locals.
The national government funded $5 billion in projects to transform the city for the Holy Year, marking the city’s biggest facelift since the 1960 Olympic Games.
Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain reopened Sunday, Dec. 22, for Jubilee after months of cleaning and restoration. City officials recently floated the idea of charging visitors at the site to reduce crowds and promote “sustainable tourism.”
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told The Washington Post he understands residents’ complaints but emphasized that the celebration only happens once every 25 years.
“We cannot say ‘No, we don’t want it,” Gualtieri said. “Romans of course, are not happy because it’s inconvenient. But they are also happy … they know we are transforming the city.”
Local business owners also benefit from the influx of people since their livelihood often depends on tourism.
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