Jubilee: inauguration of the Official Area of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Jubilee: inauguration of the Official Area of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

• An “all inclusive” space at the entrance to Via della Conciliazione, a place for welcoming and gathering that precedes a “real” visit to the #Basilica

#Vatican, October 31st, 2024

St. Peter’s Basilica is welcoming pilgrims as the 2025 Jubilee approaches. To anticipate the embrace, there will be a greeting in all the languages of the world, accompanying everyone to the house of #Peter. 

The Official Area of St. Peter’s Papal Basilica has been opened, an “all inclusive” space at the entrance to Via Della Conciliazione 3A. A hub and above all a place for welcoming and gathering that precedes a “real” visit to the basilica complex. The deepest meaning of this new point is proximity, coming together and showing solidarity, being present at the meeting with everyone.

On Thursday, October 31st, at 12.00 noon, the Official Area of St. Peter’s Basilica was inaugurated. The presentation was preceded by a blessing, in the presence of Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vicar of the Holy Father for Vatican City and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro with Father Enzo Fortunato, Director of Communication of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Also in attendance the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri.

The Basilica and the universal #Church “listening” and “reaching out” through a wide range of proposals in five dimensions.

Starting with the reception, offered with the welcome and human warmth of the employees who will (orally) provide all the required information. A functional service in synergy with the daily needs of the Basilica, designed to support every need, especially at times of high attendance. To this end, we will also rely on technology through a dynamic and state of the art solution using touch walls, totems or external and mobile operators equipped with tablets. Virtual and augmented reality experiences are planned to show a preview of the Basilica, so as to prepare the visit for the discovery of not entirely known details, such as Bernini’s restored Baldachin. The project is mainly aimed at children and adolescents and will lead to the involvement of schools throughout the Holy Year.

Spirituality, the ultimate goal of the experience in the Basilica, intended as an encounter and knowledge, offers the ability to book exclusive, immersive, tactile visits for the visually impaired and facilitated for the disabled, taking advantage of guides accredited by the Fabbrica di San Pietro and of new and innovative itineraries, including through healthy and conscious use of #artificial #intelligence.

There will also be an opportunity to experience personal dialogues with clergy and lay people who have an aptitude for listening and empathy.

Accompaniment and hospitality, instruments of otherness and charity, ensure the possibility of spiritual experience and knowledge of the faith. There are many people, genuinely eager to experience this grace, who find themselves, for a variety of reasons, unable to reach the house of Peter and His Gate.

Through the activation of a widespread network (parishes, dioceses, nunciatures, embassies, social cooperation, the third sector in general, etc.), people with difficulties can be enabled to travel and be welcomed. The use of a simple and free app will make hospitality possible in places that can offer a human and spiritual journey.

All this will be made possible through important agreements and collaborations between the Be Human association and the Fabbrica di San Pietro with major players in Italian mobility.

The service is a gesture that stays in your memory: inside the Official Area, as well as through the numerous illustrated activities, you will be able to purchase exclusive and authentic objects with the original St. Peter’s Basilica logo.

Through the choice of a select line of high quality and sustainable objects, everyone will be able to choose a souvenir to take with them, a testimony to the strength of the experience destined to stay in their memory, to share with their nearest and dearest.

Civita Mostre e Musei, on behalf of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, guarantees the sale of cultural, artistic and editorial products in the Official Area of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Finally, the Basilica’s new magazine, “Piazza San Pietro”, is also be available at the Official Area, with a subscription option.

Translation of the interviews included in the Video News release.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter’s

From a symbolic standpoint, inclusion can also be understood in reverse, as openness to everyone. Symbolically for us it’s an exit point from the Basilica to the city, to the people. From this perspective, this exit point is also ultimately aimed at meeting and serving those whom we will have the grace and good fortune to be able to approach or who will approach us in order to offer experience, knowledge and skills. And also, to make available through digital services all the information and guidance that is helpful to ensure that people have a truly spiritually enriching, engaging, and nourishing experience, and can have an experience that has a positive impact on their lives and becomes a sign of hope for everyone.

Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome

The hope is that the millions of pilgrims will have a remarkable, unforgettable experience, a great spiritual experience; that the Jubilee of Hope will have extraordinary spiritual value in a world that is emerging from a terrible pandemic, that is ravaged by wars. The values and principles that Pope Francis also indicated in the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee speak to the hearts of all people.

My hope is that they will be comfortable in our city, that they enjoy its wonders, and that they experience a beautiful journey inside Rome. To discover its beauty and be moved by its unique charm, as well as the depth of the Jubilee experience.