25,000 Pilgrims to Gather in Rome for Jubilee of Volunteers

VATICAN CITY, March 7, 2025 – Around 25,000 pilgrims from over 100 countries will be gathering in Rome from March 8–9 for the Jubilee of Volunteers, the fifth major event of the Jubilee Year 2025. This special occasion will bring together individuals from NGOs and volunteer organisations across five continents for two days of spiritual reflection, dialogue, and knowledge-sharing.

Nearly 15,000 participants will arrive from Italy, while smaller delegations will travel from Spain, the United States, Brazil, Poland, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, Chile, Ecuador, and India. The event aims to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions of volunteers in humanitarian, social, and emergency response efforts worldwide.

Pilgrimage and Citywide Dialogues

On Saturday, March 8, the participants will have the opportunity to embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. Those pilgrims who are seeking spiritual renewal will also be able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in designated Jubilee churches. In the afternoon, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, multiple cultural, artistic, and spiritual initiatives—under the banner of Dialogues with the City—will take place across Rome.

Key locations include Piazza Risorgimento, where the Focsiv Foundation will raise awareness about volunteer work; Lungotevere Vaticano, where Movimento per la Vita will showcase its initiatives, host children’s activities, and share testimonies from mothers; and Piazza Sant’Ignazio, where Aps Il Sorriso volunteers will engage the public with their projects and interactive activities for children.

Cardinal Czerny to Celebrate Jubilee Mass

The event will conclude on Sunday, March 9, with a Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. During the service, Cardinal Czerny will deliver a homily prepared by Pope Francis, highlighting the essential role of volunteers in fostering a more compassionate and just society.

The Jubilee of Volunteers underscores the Vatican’s commitment to recognising and uplifting those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Courtesy: Vatican News