Pope Francis inaugurates 2025 Jubilee Year in Vatican: Security tightened in Rome, overtourism becomes a challenge

Rome: Pope Francis formally opened the Jubilee Year of 2025 on Christmas Eve in Vatican City. He inaugurated this historic year by opening the 'Holy Doors' of St. Peter's Basilica. This Jubilee is celebrated once every 25 years, with over 32 million pilgrims expected to visit Rome from all over the world.

During the ceremony Pope Francis knocked a few times and the great holy door of St. Peter's Basilica opened. After which bells began ringing across Rome and Christmas Eve prayers began inside the Basilica. At the same time, after the recent attack on the Christmas market in Germany, strict security arrangements have been made in the Vatican and Rome. The safety of pilgrims is being ensured through police barricades, metal detectors and CCTV surveillance.

Christmas market attacked in Germany

After the attack on the Christmas market in Germany last week, security around the Vatican was increased to a high level. Italian authorities were using police patrols and camera surveillance around Rome, while pilgrims were being passed through metal detectors and other security checks to reach St Peter's Square through a police barricaded route.

New Year celebrated with great pomp

This week, Pope Francis celebrates the month of Christmas Eve and then delivers his annual Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) speech on Christmas Day from the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. In addition to sightseeing in Rebibiya, he enjoyed New Year's Eve rituals and celebrated the New Year with pomp and show.

Rome is troubled by the burden of traffic jams

The city of Rome is entering the Jubilee Year with many troubles. This involved upgrading public functions of transportation, hospital emergency rooms and other vital services, as traffic jams lasted for two years, testing the patience of residents. But only a third of the 323 projects have been completed and the city is already groaning under the burden of overtourism.

At the same time, after Covid-19, tourists have returned to Italy in large numbers, due to which a crisis has arisen due to increase in rents.

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