By Victoria Cardiel
Vatican City, Apr 3, 2025 / 15:45 pm
Join over 20,000 pilgrims from 90 countries this weekend at the Vatican for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers. This event will bring together patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other health care professionals for a time of prayer, reflection, and pilgrimage.
The Jubilee, taking place on April 5-6, is a key celebration of the 2025 Jubilee Year. Participants will walk along Via della Conziliazione to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, engaging in moments of spiritual significance.
Italy will have the largest representation at the event, with delegations also expected from countries like the United States, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and more. Various health care associations and organizations, both Italian and international, will be involved in organizing activities.
Notable participants include Fratres, a Catholic association promoting blood donation; ANED, advocating for kidney disease patients; the Italian Catholic Physicians Association; the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital; and the Pharmaceutical Bank Foundation.
Activities kick off on Saturday, April 5, with pilgrims embarking on their journey to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of a weekend filled with faith, solidarity, and healing.
Peter’s Basilica offers a unique opportunity for special recollection and spiritual renewal, allowing visitors to gain a plenary indulgence. Pilgrims who journey to sacred places, such as the major papal basilicas in Rome or revered sites in the Holy Land, can partake in this jubilee grace whether traveling alone or in a group, while dedicating time to Eucharistic adoration and meditation.
As the day unfolds, Rome will be bustling with a myriad of meetings and conferences as part of the “Dialogues with the City” series, taking place in various squares in the historic center of the Eternal City. An important event not to be missed is “The Value of Gift and Solidarity” at Piazza di Spagna (the Spanish Square), commencing at 4 p.m. and featuring key figures such as Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri, and Lazio regional president Francesco Rocca.
Simultaneously, the international conference “Hospice = Hope” will be held at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., focusing on the significance of comprehensive care for chronically ill or end-of-life patients. Additionally, the American Heart Association will be offering a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course in multiple languages, and the Fratres organization will be conducting a special blood donation campaign from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Health Awareness and Moments of Prayer
Throughout the day, various awareness-raising activities will be taking place in different parts of the city. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., health education sessions will be held, while from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., events focused on addiction prevention and treatment will be organized by the Vicariate of the Diocese of Rome.
Amidst all these events, St. Peter’s Basilica stands as a beacon of spiritual solace and reflection, inviting all to partake in a moment of serenity and connection with the divine. Whether seeking plenary indulgence or simply seeking inner peace, Rome offers a plethora of opportunities for both spiritual and physical well-being.
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