PRESS RELEASE

FROM 30 MAY TO 1 JUNE: IN ROME, THE JUBILEE OF FAMILIES, CHILDREN, GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY

(Vatican City, 27 May 2025) – From Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2025, the major Jubilee event dedicated to families, children, grandparents and the elderly will be held. Three days rich in events and proposals, marked by moments of prayer, reflection, celebration and sharing. The Jubilee event will attract over 60,000 faithful to Rome. Participants come from 120 countries from all continents and, in particular, large groups will be present from Italy, Spain, the United States, Poland and Portugal. Many pilgrims will also arrive in Rome from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Romania, the Philippines and Chile. Numerous dioceses, associations and movements will also be represented, including in particular the numerous groups involved from Agesci, Azione Cattolica Italiana, Neocatechumenal Communities, UNITALSI, the Catholic Grandparents Association, the Franciscan Movement, the Focolare Movement, and many other Italian and international entities that accompany the human and spiritual growth of families.

On the first Jubilee day, Friday 30 May, there will be pilgrimages to the Holy Doors of the Papal Basilicas between the hours of 8.00 and 17.00. The day will then continue from 10.00, as is now customary, with the “Dialogues with the City”, cultural, artistic and spiritual events in the squares of the historic centre of Rome, enlivened by various institutions, associations and movements linked to family pastoral care, including the Pontifical Committee for World Children's Day, Associazione Famiglie per l'Accoglienza, Nonno Banter 57 APS - Giochi di Strada, Le Muse di Archimede, and the Emanuel Community. Full details of the squares and activities can be found on the Jubilee website.

On Saturday 31 May, the pilgrimage to the Holy Doors will continue from 8.00 to 17.00. Please note that, due organizational requirements of the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Soor of Saint Peter’s will not be accessible from 8.00 to 14.00 on Saturday. During the day, from 9.30 to 17.30, there will be more moments of celebration and learning with the “Dialogues with the city”, involving the Centre of Roman Oratories (COR), Italian Catholic Action, the CHARIS (Catholic Charismatic Renewal) Association, the Neocatechumenal Way, the Sant’Egdio Community, Family Global Compact and the international association of family associations, and again Le Muse di Archimede and Nonno Banter 57 APS - Giochi di Strada. Again, for these events, all the details may be found on the Jubilee website.

The most intense moment on Saturday will be in the late afternoon, from 18.30 to 20.00, in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, with the “Festa della Famiglia”, “Family Party”, and Prayer Vigil during which the Rosary will be recited to conclude the Marian month. The moment of celebration, with plenty of music and testimonies, will be conducted by Lorena Bianchetti, television presenter, and will involve the participation of, among others, special guests such as the actor Giovanni Scifoni, Christian music bands such as The Sun and Gen Verde, and then Alfio Russo, a very young saxophonist. Then, family associations, specifically the Pope John XXIII Association, the Equipe Notre Dame, Families for Welcome, New Families – Focolari and Nonni 2.0, will give their testimony and describe their work in support of the family. On the occasion of the event, at the entrance points to Piazza San Giovanni, 10,000 copies of the new edition of the “Children’s Bible” will be distributed. It is edited by the “Aid to the Church in Need” Pontifical Foundation and is published in five languages (Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese). Entry to the area will be permitted from 16.00).

At the end of the Jubilee, on Sunday 1 June at 10.30 in Saint Peter’s Square, the Holy Father will preside over the Eucharistic Celebration, which will be attended by thousands of children and families from all over the world. Entry to the square is free and tickets are not required for the celebration.

PRESS OFFICE – JUBILEE 2025
Dicastery for Evangelization
Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World press@iubilaeum2025.va