The Jubilee is a special year in the Catholic Church, and a key itinerary for pilgrims involves visiting the four major papal basilicas in Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. During the Jubilee year, the Pope opens the Holy Doors at each of these basilicas, symbolizing a passage from sin to grace, and pilgrims who pass through these doors can receive a plenary indulgence. Visiting these four basilicas is a central spiritual practice for those participating in the Jubilee in Rome.
The act of walking through the Holy Doors during the Jubilee is a symbolic gesture of spiritual renewal and a return to God. It signifies a desire for repentance and a fresh start. Pilgrims are encouraged to approach the doors with a spirit of humility, confess their sins, and make a commitment to living a more virtuous life. The doors are believed to be a gateway to spiritual grace, and passing through them is seen as a way to receive God’s forgiveness and blessings.
In addition to visiting the four major basilicas, pilgrims during the Jubilee often participate in other religious activities, such as attending special Masses, prayer services, and processions. The Jubilee is a time of intense spiritual reflection and renewal, and the act of walking through the Holy Doors is a central part of this experience.
The Jubilee holds deep spiritual significance, and historically, people from all over the world have journeyed to Rome to undertake the Jubilee pilgrimage, traditionally completed on foot. Therefore, we primarily recommend traveling on foot for the Jubilee pilgrimage, but acknowledging the long distances involved, we will also provide information on available metro or bus stops for each Basilica.
First stop: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Given its proximity to the train station, we recommend starting the pilgrimage from here. 850 m walking, around 10 mins to reach. If you can't or don't want to walk, there are several buses that reach the location: 514, 360, 16.
Second stop: The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, which is the closest major basilica to Santa Maria Maggiore. 1.5 km, 20 mins walking. If you can't or don't want to walk, there are buses n 714 and n 16 that reach the location.
Fourth stop: Basilica di San Paolo Fuori le Mura. This will be the longest walk of the day, so be prepared. 5,5 km, that can take you more or less 1h 15 mins. Buses n 792, 85, 87, 3 and 23 link this two locations.
Fourth stop: Piazza San Pietro, the most important church in Rome and Christendom. This is also a long walk. 4.5 km, 1h circa. Buses n 23 and n 792 link this two locations.
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