SW News: In view of the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pope Francis met with Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri on Thursday morning. Rome is getting ready to welcome pilgrims and tourists, and it is working to be its best and live up to the Jubilee's spiritual significance.
A special Jubilee decree was signed in Rome's Chigi Palace, the official residence of the Italian Prime Minister, after Gualtieri's hour-long meeting with the Pope on Thursday morning. The Holy Father expressed his admiration for Rome and described it as a special city. He also expressed interest in learning more about the social programs and environmental issues the city is dealing with.
Nearly 87 initiatives totaling more than one billion euros are anticipated by the government ordinance for the Jubilee. There are a total of 1.8 billion euros invested in these projects, of which 32 are reconstruction and improvement projects, 23 deal with mobility and accessibility, 8 with participation and hospitality, and 24 with the environment and the territory.
 In addition, the "Caput Mundi" Plan has allocated an additional 500 million euros linked to 335 interventions that have already been approved to receive ministerial development funding. When one includes those in a second decree that is in the works, the total amount spent on projects for the Jubilee will be close to 4 billion euros.
The goal is to make Rome more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive while also providing the finest welcome possible to the tens of millions of pilgrims who will visit.
Gualtieri, who has been appointed as the Jubilee Year's extraordinary commissioner, said in a statement that all of his work will be in line with the message of hope, all-encompassing brotherhood, and trust that Pope Francis sets at the heart of the Jubilee.
Various projects are slated for the city. They consist of the renovation of the Piazza Dei Cinquecento at Termini Train Station and the Square in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran.
Heritage, as well as important historical-architectural complexes, will be redeveloped and restored. Archaeological sites with historical significance will be improved. Cultural services will be upgraded and digitalized, while parks, gardens, villas, and fountains will be cleaned and repaired.
With the construction of a new subway station, the redesign of pedestrian paths, and the repair of Porta Angelica, areas near the Vatican will also be modernized.
On the premises of Santa Maria Della Pietà, a youth hostel will be officially opened, along with additional welcome amenities. Along with improving the Jubilee sites, making the city more hospitable, and enabling the big festivities, the program also makes investments in areas most adversely impacted by pilgrimages.