Jubilee 2025: Over 12,000 Pilgrims Arrive in Rome on Foot or by Bicycle, Primarily from North-East Europe
Rome, March 18, 2026 – More than 12,000 pilgrims have arrived in Rome on foot or by bicycle for the Jubilee 2025. Data released by Romea Strata, the organization linked to the European pilgrimage route connecting North-East Europe to Rome, highlights that over half of these pilgrims journeyed from countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
The Jubilee 2025, which concluded in January with the closing of St. Peter’s last Holy Door, saw Rome welcome a total of 33.4 million visitors. Within this broader context, Romea Strata recorded 12,038 pilgrim arrivals by foot and bicycle throughout the year.
Pilgrim Nationalities and Origins
The Romea Strata route traverses seven countries in North-East Europe: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Italy. The route enters Italy through Friuli Venezia Giulia and continues through other regions until it reaches Rome.
An analysis of nationalities reveals a strong European presence, particularly from the countries along the Romea Strata route. Approximately 56% of the pilgrims, totaling 6,740 individuals, originated from these seven nations. Italy itself accounted for the largest contingent, with 5,979 pilgrims, nearly half of the entire sample. The other six countries contributed 761 arrivals, while the remaining 5,298 pilgrims came from other parts of the world.
Seasonal Trends in Pilgrimages
Pilgrimages demonstrate a distinct seasonal pattern, similar to that observed on other major European routes. The peak period for arrivals was in May, with 2,104 pilgrims, followed by August with 1,723, and October with 1,403. Conversely, the winter months saw a significant decrease in numbers, with only 117 arrivals in December and a mere 37 in February. Walking remained the predominant mode of travel for pilgrims.
August Sees More Pilgrims
Among Italian pilgrims, there was a notable concentration in August, with 1,027 arrivals on foot. Pilgrims from other countries showed a peak between May (125 arrivals) and June (162).
Cycling represented a smaller, yet consistent, component. In June, 290 Italian cyclists were recorded, with 198 in May. As autumn approached, these numbers rapidly declined, reaching just 26 cyclists in October. International cyclists maintained a limited but steady presence, with a small peak of 18 in September.
Demographics of Pilgrims
Demographically, the most represented age group was between 35 and 64 years old, comprising over 3,000 Italians and approximately 2,800 foreigners. Individuals over 65 numbered around 1,500, primarily from countries outside the Romea Strata route. A significant presence of young people and adolescents was also noted among Italian pilgrims.
The project of welcoming pilgrims involved 250 volunteers, working in collaboration with the Fabbrica di San Pietro, to gather data on pilgrim origins, routes, and motivations.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_marzo_18/giubileo-12mila-pellegrini-arrivati-a-roma-a-piedi-o-in-bicicletta-la-maggior-parte-dal-nord-europa-c91eb730-dd26-49c2-aed3-7548a331fxlk.shtml
