First bilateral meeting between the Holy See and the Italian Government in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025
The road towards the Jubilee of 2025 is officially open! On Wednesday, 19th April 2023 in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, a delegation from the Holy See met representatives from the Italian government for a preliminary discussion on the state of proceedings and advance organisation of the Jubilee year. The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni was present alongside the Vice-Premiers Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani, as well as Undersecretary Alberto Mantovano, the minister of Culture, the minister of Health, the minister of Tourism, the minister for Civil Protection and Marine Policy, and the President of the Lazio region.
In a climate of collaboration and sharing, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, introduced proceedings. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization, alongside the undersecretary of the Dicastery, the Sostituto of the Secretariat of State, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, the Assessor for General Affairs, together with the Vice Secretary General of the Vatican City State Government and the Director of Infrastructure and Services and the vice-Director of Security and Civil Protection were all present to represent the Holy See.
The theme of welcoming pilgrims and the relevant responsibilities of each minister was the main issue tackled at the meeting. Cardinal Parolin said: “We must give a warm, traditional Italian and Vatican welcome to every member of the faithful who comes … We can work together so that they [the pilgrims] will take home with them happy memories of the Jubilee”. Prime Minister Meloni emphasised: “The government has been working for many months in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee, and we are fully aware that the Jubilee is not comparable to any other event. It is an event which confirms once more that Rome is at the centre of world Christianity. I am convinced that it must be seen as a moment of rediscovering the faith”.
Among the issues on the agenda were advance security plans, healthcare concerns and the question of entrance visas for pilgrims. Also discussed were questions relating to civil protection, transport, urban mobility, Jubilee routes inside the city and cultural events. Archbishop Fisichella explained: “Meeting together gives us a wider sense of what is required … the Jubilee is an event made up of people, and as there will be millions of people present from all over the world, we shoulder a special responsibility to allow everyone who comes to experience it in a positive way”. The Pro-Prefect for the Dicastery of Evangelisation revealed that among the many ideas being considered, there was one aimed at transmitting “hope through beauty” by bringing important works of art to places where they would not normally be seen, but are perhaps most needed, such as hospitals.
