We recently returned from a whirlwind weekend trip to Rome, and at the top of our list of things to do, as Catholics, was participating as pilgrims during the Vatican’s Jubilee year, and walking through the Holy Doors. There’s not a lot of very good information out there about what to do and where to go, so I’m going to break down a few things you need to know and do before heading to St. Peter’s Basilica this year.

The first thing you need to know is that EVERYONE walks through the Holy Door in order to get into St. Peter’s, no matter if you’re a Catholic pilgrim, or a tourist. It’s the only way to walk into the Basilica, and so the lines will get long. That said, there are a few ways you can bump yourself up further in the line. If you are registered with a pilgrimage group, they will take care of everything for you. You will meet at the far eastern end of the plaza and walk slowly together. There is a separate security gate for pre-registered groups.

If you are going by yourself or with your family, I highly recommend downloading the app for the Jubilee and registering as a pilgrim. You can then choose a time for visiting and head through the separate security line, which is much shorter than the normal line. This is the number one thing you must do prior to heading to the Vatican, as it will allow you easier access and shorter wait times.

We actually had absolutely no idea what we were doing when we were there, and had no clue where to go, but there are gobs of volunteers in bright, fluorescent green jackets walking around to help. I simply showed them my app and QR code, and they let us through to the special line. No one scanned my code or anything, and we were an hour late for our “reservation,” but that didn’t seem to matter. I suspect it might start to matter when there are greater numbers of people in the spring and summer.

Once you go through security, you are ushered through a corral which leads straight to the Holy Door. There is a plaque above the door which is brand new and memorializing the Pope’s blessing of the Jubilee year. I had a very potent religious experience walking through the door, and as I made my way inside the Basilica, I walked over to a nearby chapel to pray for a while and collect myself. It was spiritually uplifting and astonishing at the same time, and I was quite surprised by it all!

The whole church is open to the public, and it was jam packed with tourists on a chilly Saturday afternoon in January. There were actually way more people here on a chilly Saturday in January, then there were when we came in the summer a few years ago. I can’t really imagine what it will be like later in the year, but just be aware that there will be a lot of people. You can explore the place on your own, or book a tour guide. You can also walk or take an elevator up to the dome, which is a separate ticket, but you can purchase that while you are there if you are so inclined.

If you’re simply there to walk around the Basilica, I would estimate you need less than an hour here (not including wait times for security). The spirit of the Vatican is palpable during this time. There are lots of groups around praying, singing, and it’s a very vibrant atmosphere compared to visiting there during a non-Jubilee year.

If the lines still seem too long for you, there are a few other Holy Doors that have been opened by the Pope specifically for this year, and one of them is in the Central Historic area of Rome that is easy to get to if you are staying in the area. You can find it at the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is in the Monti neighborhood of Rome, very close to the Termini station. I expect the lines there will be significantly shorter than at St. Peter’s.

Keep in mind that, during 2025, all areas of Rome will be extremely busy because of the Jubilee year, so make your restaurant reservations, and book all museums, hotels, and tours far in advance. Brace for lots of long lines and crowds this year. That said, Rome is a magical place, so as long as you are prepared, you’re going to love it here!