More than 20,000 pilgrims from 90 countries will participate in the jubilee of the sick in Rome

More than 20,000 pilgrims from 90 countries, including patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other health professionals, will participate in the jubilee of the sick and the world of health.

This is one of the great celebrations of this Holy Year 2025, which will take place on April 5 and 6, which will concentrate moments of prayer and reflection, as well as the pilgrimage by groups through Vía of the coziliation (Conciliation Street) to the Holy Gate of the Basilica of San Pedro.

As reported by the Dicastery for Evangelization in a statement, Italy will be the country with the greatest representation, but the arrival of Delegations from the United States, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, France, Mexico, Germany, Croatia, Philippines, Peru, Congo, Australia, Chile, Ethiopia, Canada and Cameroon, among others.

Likewise, numerous associations and entities of the Italian and foreign health field will participate in the organization of activities, highlighting the work of Fratres, a Catholic association that promotes blood donation; Aned, who fights for a better life for all people suffering from kidney diseases, through home hemodialysis systems; The Association of Italian Catholic Physicians, the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital or the Banco Pharmaceutical Foundation.

The activities planned for this seventh great event of the Jubileo de la Esperanza will begin on Saturday, April 5, when pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage to the Holy Gate of the Basilica of San Pedro, a moment of special recollection and spiritual renewal with which plenary indulgence can be achieved.

They can benefit from this jubilee grace the faithful who pilgrimage towards any sacred place, such as the Basilicas Mayor in Rome or the sites venerated in the Holy Land, whether individual or group visits, and always dedicating a time to the Eucharistic adoration and meditation.

In the afternoon, Rome will be the scene of multiple meetings and conferences, within the framework of the “dialogues with the city”, a series of events organized in different places of the historic center of the eternal city.

One of the most relevant acts will take place in the Spanish square (Plaza de España), where from 4:00 p.m. the meeting “The value of the gift and solidarity” will be held, with the participation of the prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Mons. Rino Fisichella, the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, the mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri and the president of the Lazio region, Francesco Rocca.

At the same time, at the Pontifical University of La Santa Cruz, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.Hospice = Hope”(Palliative care = hope), which will address the importance of this comprehensive care for chronic patients or at the end of life.

Of parallel form, at American Heart Association (American Heart Association) will offer a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course, available in several languages, while the organization Brothers It will promote a special blood donation campaign, with an extraordinary collection between 7:30 and 1:00 p.m.

Health awareness and moments of prayer

Throughout the day, various awareness activities will be developed in different areas of the city. For example, health education sessions will be taught from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., events will be held focused on the prevention and treatment of addictions, organized by the Vicariate of the Diocese of Rome.

In the spiritual field, the Church of Santa Monica, in Piazza sant’ officewill host a conference on the life of Beata Benedetta Bianchi Porro, a medical student who died because of a rare disease.

The meeting will be attended by his sister, Emanuela Bianchi Porro, and the priest Andrea Vena, a postulator of his canonization cause.

In addition, moments of prayer and catechesis have been programmed in various churches in the capital, led by religious congregations dedicated to the care of the sick.

In the church of Santa Maria del Suffragio, attendees will be able to participate in the reflection “On the steps of Blessed Luigi Novarese. Find the blessing when life is crossed by fragility”(After the footsteps of Blessed Luigi Novare. Find the blessing when life is crossed by fragility), While in the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, the meeting will be held “On the steps of San Camillo de Lellis. The heart unifies a fragmented life”(After the footprints of San Camilo de Lellis. The heart unifies a fragmented life).

On the other hand, in the church of San Gregorio VII, the Banco Pharmaceutical Foundation has organized the colloquium “Take care and be careful: where does our hope reside?”, With the presence of Mons. Andrea Manto, Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral of Health of Rome, Sergio Daniotti, president of the Pharmaceutical Bank, and Giorgio Bordin, President of Medicine and Person.

Finally, at the Pontifical Universidad Latranense, a Congress promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, which will address the role of patient associations in the construction of a more human and participatory national health system will be held.

On Sunday, April 6, the jubilee of the sick will continue with the Mass in the Plaza de San Pedro at 10:30 am, chaired by Mons. Rino Fisichella. On this occasion, a homily will be read written by Pope Francis, who continues with convalescence in the Vatican after his hospitalization, and is expected to send a message of hope and commitment to the sick and the health personnel. The ceremony will be free access.