On the morning of January 23, 2025, a technical committee was brought together
at the headquarters of the Italian government at Palazzo Chigi in Rome,
to prepare for the reception of pilgrims in Assisi.
The committee members included the Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Alfredo MANTOVANO; the Extraordinary Commissioner for the Jubilee and Mayor of Rome, Roberto GUALTIERI; the President of the National Committee for the Celebration of the 8th Centenary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi, Davide RONDONI; the President of the Italian Region of Umbria, Stefania PROIETTI; the Mayor of Perugia, Vittoria FERDINANDI; the Mayor of Terni, Stefano BANDECCHI; and other key figures from the Italian Region of Umbria. Also present were officials of the Government; officials of the Italian State Railways; the Most Reverend Rino FISICHELLA, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and head of organizing the 2025 Jubilee; Father Giovanni ZAMPA, representing the Umbrian Episcopal Conference; and many others. The purpose of this meeting was to effectively prepare for the reception of the numerous pilgrims expected to arrive in Umbria, particularly in Assisi, during the Jubilee and the centenary year of St. Francis’ death in 2026.
The Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi), Friar Marco MORONI, was also present, accompanied by Friar Jorge FERNÁNDEZ.
The meeting highlighted the need for funding to organize accommodations, transportation, and road access for a very large number of people, and funding to improve accessibility and ensure safety. The committee is mounting a significant effort to effectively manage the reception of pilgrims, especially during peak periods such as April 2025, when Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized, late July and early August 2025, for the Jubilee of Adolescents, and the days surrounding the Feast of St. Francis on October 4.
Friar Marco MORONI said about this: “For our part, as friars of the Sacred Convent, we will do everything we can to accommodate everyone. We try to have a big heart. We also appreciate the Government’s decision, at the request of the Italian Region of Umbria, to set up this committee, which includes various religious and lay entities on the front lines, in order to ensure adequate hospitality for the many pilgrims and visitors who will come to Assisi during these special years. Hospitality comes from the heart and is an attitude to be cultivated and nurtured, but it also requires appropriate facilities to host people simply yet safely.”
Press Room - Andrea ROSSI
Sacred Convent of St. Francis