L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS word "pilgrimage" is particu- l a r l y s i g n i f i c a n t . D e r i v e d f r o m t h e L a t i n p e r e g e r , meaning "to cross a fron- tier," it highlights the theme of transformation, which is central to the spiritual expe- rience. The very motto of the 2025 Jubilee, Peregrinantes in Spem (Pilgrims in Hope), is particularly meaningful in a world grappling with pro- found crises and global chal- lenges. Easter itself is also a pas- sage. The word comes from the Greek pascha, which in turn derives from the Ara- maic pasah, meaning "to pass over" or "to transition." In Judaism, it commemo- rates the passage through the Red Sea, from slavery in Egypt to freedom. For Chris- tians, it marks the transition from death to life in the Res- urrection of Jesus Christ. Understanding the sym- b o l s , w o r d s , a n d r i t u a l s behind these events is fasci- nating. From a secular per- spective, it offers insight into a people's culture, historical contexts, and the reasons behind certain customs. It allows us to interpret monu- ments and works of art that fill the world's museums. In essence, learning these sym- bolic codes gives us a deeper understanding of the world around us. The Holy Door of St. P e t e r ' s i t s e l f , b e y o n d i t s religious symbolism, is an interesting artifact. Contrary to what one might assume, it is actually quite modern—a surprising fact only if one does not know its history. U n t i l a f e w d e c a d e s a g o , t h e r e w a s m e r e l y a b r i c k wall, demolished every 25 years, with the Pope himself d e l i v e r i n g t h e f i r s t t h r e e blows. In 1949, a competi- tion was held to design a new door, won by sculptor Vico Consorti, who completed it in just 11 months in time for the Holy Year of 1950. His masterpiece consists of 16 sculpted panels depicting scenes from the Fall of Man to Christ as the Door of Sal- vation. Inspired by Pope Pius XII's words, "Grant, O Lord, that this Holy Year may be the year of great return and great forgiveness," the door was cast at the Ferdinando M a r i n e l l i A r t i s t i c F o u n d r y i n F l o r e n c e . I t was a gift from Francesco v o n S t r e n g , B i s h o p o f Lugano and Basel, as an o f f e r i n g o f g r a t i t u d e f o r Switzerland being spared from World War II. T h e f i r s t H o l y D o o r i n history, which could serve as another stop on a Jubilee pilgrimage through Italy, is found at the Basilica of S a n t a M a r i a d i Collemaggio in L'Aquila, Abruzzo. Founded in 1288 b y P o p e C e l e s t i n e V — t h e "Pope of the Great Refusal," who was crowned here in 1294—the church hosted the f i r s t J u b i l e e i n h i s t o r y , established by the Bull of Pardon on September 29, 1 2 9 4 . T h i s e v e n t , k n o w n t o d a y a s t h e P e r d o n a n z a Celestiniana, has been rec- ognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cul- tural heritage. The second Holy Door was created in 1423 for St. John Lateran, while the first documented instance of the rite of open- i n g t h e H o l y D o o r a t S t . Peter's Basilica dates back to Pope Alexander VI in 1500. In addition to St. Peter's and the other three Papal Basilicas—St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls—many H o l y D o o r s h a v e b e e n opened across Italy, from north to south, making it p o s s i b l e t o e x p e r i e n c e Jubilee pilgrimages and reli- gious tourism outside the usual routes. These paths will connect with less-trav- e l e d t r a i l s p r o m o t e d b y T u r i s m o d e l l e R a d i c i (Root Tourism), as well as with traditional itineraries in Italy's great art cities. Yet, Rome and Vatican City will inevitably remain the focal point. J u s t s t e p s a w a y f r o m Bernini's colonnade lie the Vatican Museums, one of the most significant destina- tions of the Jubilee. Their extraordinary collection of art, with the Sistine Chapel as the crown jewel, offers an u n p a r a l l e l e d j o u r n e y through centuries of Christ- ian history and sacred art, as well as the works of artists who masterfully captured t h e d e e p c o n n e c t i o n between faith and culture. But the Jubilee is also an o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p l o r e R o m e ' s m a g n i f i c e n t Baroque churches, where dramatic grandeur and the- atricality amplify the sense of emotion and devotion. Santa Maria in Traste- vere, one of the city's oldest c h u r c h e s , a n d S a n t ' I g - nazio di Loyola, with its breathtaking frescoes, are must-sees. A visit to Rome's catacombs is another essen- tial experience, offering a rare glimpse into the early Christian world and its pro- found spiritual significance. Sites like the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and St. Sebastian not only reveal the origins of Christianity b u t a l s o s h e d l i g h t o n ancient burial traditions and t h e e v o l v i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p between faith and life after death. Since the beginning of the year, Rome has already wel- comed an exceptional num- ber of pilgrims, but it is not the only city preparing for record crowds. The combi- nation of the Jubilee, Easter, and Italy's springtime public holidays is expected to boost tourism across the country. Estimates suggest that Italy will see 35 million tourist arrivals, translating into 105 million overnight stays and $ 1 8 . 2 b i l l i o n i n t o u r i s m - related spending. A study commissioned by the Vati- can and conducted by Roma Tre University even predicts that visitor numbers could r e a c h 4 0 m i l l i o n , w i t h a t least 2 to 3 million travelers c o m i n g f r o m t h e U n i t e d States alone. According to data presented at the Inter- national Tourism Forum, the city of Rome expects to gen- erate between 4.36 billion and $4.90 billion in revenue from the event. The impact of the Jubilee will extend well beyond the c a p i t a l , b o o s t i n g t o u r i s m a n d t h e e c o n o m y a c r o s s Italy. Naples, for example, anticipates 18 million visi- tors, an increase of at least 4 . 5 m i l l i o n c o m p a r e d t o 2024. Venice is also expect- ing a surge, with a projected 25% rise in overnight stays. "We are facing a 2025 full of challenges that we must turn i n t o o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r g r o w t h a n d i n n o v a t i o n , making Italy an increasingly attractive and sustainable destination for tourists from a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d , " s a i d Daniela Santanché, Italy's Minister of Tourism. In addition to the official Jubilee pilgrimage routes, p a r a l l e l p a t h s w i l l a l s o attract visitors, bringing fur- ther economic and cultural b e n e f i t s . S l o w t o u r i s m linked to faith-based travel w i l l s e e a s i g n i f i c a n t increase, particularly along h i s t o r i c p i l g r i m a g e t r a i l s such as the Via Francigena, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of additional travelers. In 2023 a l o n e , I t a l y ' s r e l i g i o u s trekking routes, including the 300-kilometer Cammino di San Benedetto from Nor- c i a t o M o n t e c a s s i n o , t h e 436-kilometer Cammino di S a n F r a n c e s c o f r o m L a Verna to Rome, the 85-kilo- meter Cammino di Oropa in Piedmont, and the 518-kilo- meter Cammino della Pace f r o m L ' A q u i l a t o M o n t e S a n t ' A n g e l o , a t t r a c t e d 150,000 pilgrims. With the a d d e d m o m e n t u m o f t h e Jubilee, these numbers are set to grow, making 2025 a year of profound spiritual and cultural significance, not just for Rome but for all of Italy. The combination of the Jubilee, Easter, and Italy's springtime public holidays is expected to boost tourism across the country. A study commissioned by the Vatican and conducted by Roma Tre University predicts that visitor numbers could reach 40 million CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at Saint Peter's, on December 24, 2024 (Photo: Holy Art/Dreamstime)

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