On foot, by bicycle, and even on horseback, throngs of pilgrims arrive each day at the tomb of St. Peter in the Vatican, the goal of a journey undertaken by many as an act of faith. There are a number of routes that pilgrims can take on their journey to Rome, and one of the most iconic is the Romea Strata, a historic road that has guided travelers from Central and Eastern Europe to Rome.
Before becoming a pilgrimage route, it was used for multiple purposes, including trade, and was traveled by historical figures such as Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo Galilei as well as other figures who spread Christianity.
For the Jubilee Year 2025, the experience of arriving in the Eternal City will take on a new direction thanks to the fact that the last stage of the journey has been completely reconfigured with the reconditioning of a disused stretch of railway and a permanent reception center at the entrance to the basilica.
Rome is preparing to welcome more than 30 million pilgrims from all over the world during the jubilee year. But what steps should pilgrims take when arriving in the Eternal City? The Romea Strata project provides an answer.
Volunteers will assist the pilgrims
First of all, those who wish to make visiting the tomb of St. Peter the high point of their pilgrimage can go to the reception and assistance service located on one of the sides of the basilica, next to “Angels Unawares,” a large sculpture depicting migrants and refugees.
There, volunteers from the Romea Strata initiative, promoted by the Fabric of St. Peter (responsible for conserving and maintaining the basilica and for visitors) and the Homo Viator-San Teobaldo Foundation of the Diocese of Vicenza, will guide the pilgrims to exclusive access to the basilica during the celebration of the daily pilgrim Mass, thus avoiding the long lines of tourists.
In addition, a system for digitizing and systematizing travelers’ data has been implemented, and those who have traveled at least 60 miles will be able to obtain the “Testimonium,” a certificate on parchment with the images of St. Peter and St. Paul.
This service to pilgrims, which began last May, will be maintained permanently during the jubilee. According to the Fabric of St. Peter, 3,700 Testimonia were issued between June and October 2024.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and president of the Fabric of St. Peter, noted that this “attention [to needs] and outreach allows them to feel more welcomed and received at this unique place, beloved by all the faithful of the world.”
“In this way, recollection and the time of interiority that come about during the silence of the long journey of faith are encouraged,” he emphasized.
The new route
One of the most significant innovations of the project is the change made to the last stretch of the route that bypasses the Via Trionfale for a new, simpler, safer, and more pleasant journey.
According to the Fabric of St. Peter, this way allows a new entrance to the basilica, significantly improving the experience and offering an incomparable view of the city.
“This new access will not only improve security but will offer a unique experience, allowing us to intensely experience the spirituality that characterizes our journey toward the New Jerusalem,” said Father Raimondo Sinibaldi, president of the Homo Viator Foundation.
The RFI (Italian Railway Network) and the city government are working to recondition a disused stretch of the railway, including the Monte Ciocci tunnel, closed for almost a decade. This project not only aims to enhance the landscape but also to create an appropriate atmosphere for the arrival at St. Peter’s.
The presentation of the new Romea Strata guide will be announced soon. It will include a detailed description of over 600 miles of the route, highlighting not only its historical significance but also points of sociocultural interest and the landscape. It will be an essential tool for all pilgrims, offering practical and narrative details.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
