How to be a pilgrim in Rome during the Jubilee of Mercy

May 13, 2016

Continued from last week

4. Special Considerations for Visiting St Peter’s Basilica
Holy doors have been opened throughout the world in every diocese, but the pilgrimage undertaken by millions of faithful Catholics in a Jubilee year is to St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. In terms of Rome’s observance of this Year of Mercy, St Peter’s is the focal point, and thus, there are some additional things to know before you visit this chief among pilgrimage destinations.

First, the largest crowd that you will find anywhere in Rome will most likely be at St Peter’s. Long before this Year of Mercy, St Peter’s was one of the few places in Rome where everyone was required to pass through security and have their bags x-rayed (clerics, nuns and religious in habits included). Since the most recent terrorist threats and attacks, the Vatican’s security routine has expanded and intensified. Expect that no matter when you visit St Peter’s, you will wait in a long line to get inside, and if you leave the secured area for any reason, you will do it all again before getting back inside.

Second, if you wish to attend a liturgy presided by the Holy Father, you will need a ticket, which can be obtained by writing to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household. Follow the link for a calendar of the Pope’s events for the upcoming months, and note that the only electronic means of writing for tickets is to send your request by fax at the number indicated. Normally, (unless you write well in advance or make special arrangements), tickets will be held for you at a ticket office near Paul VI Audience Hall. Do not forget that you will be instructed to pick up your tickets the day before the event, and, you will need to go through security to get them. In other words, allocate additional time for this.

Third, if you wish to pass through the Holy Door of St Peter’s, you should register as a pilgrim at the Vatican’s official website for the Year of Mercy. You can register as a group or as an individual. Shortly before your scheduled visit, you will receive an e-mail containing a document that you will need to print and bring with you. A volunteer will scan a bar code printed on the document to check you in as a pilgrim. As a registered pilgrim, you will be directed to first visit Castel Sant’Angelo to check in. From there, you or your group will walk down the Via della Conciliazione (which has been closed to traffic) to Piazza San Pietro. From there, you will go through security before passing through the Holy Door.

Please note that if you do not register as a pilgrim, you may not be permitted to pass through the Holy Door.

5. Visit the Year of Mercy Pilgrim Information Centre for your “Official Certificate”
After completing your pilgrimage, you can proceed to the “Pilgrim Information Centre” established at Via della Conciliazione, (group leaders can also visit here ahead of time for pilgrimage materials) to receive a certificate printed with your name, attesting to when you made your pilgrimage to Rome. This is provided free to anyone who has registered, and makes a nice personalized souvenir.

6 Conclusion
If you have never visited Rome before, a pilgrimage during a Jubilee is a special opportunity to seek graces. The Church’s Treasury of Mercy is flung open — not unlike the Holy Doors themselves — pouring out abundant riches upon the faithful.