Romea Strata: A new tradition of spiritual hospitality to pilgrims of hope
In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, the Fabrique de Saint-Pierre is preparing to launch the “Romea Strata” guide and the Testimonium certificate, offering pilgrims a profound spiritual experience throughout their journey to Rome.
By Vatican News
THE Romea Strata This initiative is led by Saint Peter’s Basilica, in partnership with the Fabrique Saint-Pierre and the Homo Viator-San Teobaldo Foundation of the Italian diocese of Vicenza.
Together they created a dedicated volunteer service to help pilgrims on their way to St. Peter’s Basilica, the final destination of the route.
A warm and spiritually enriching welcome
THE Romea Strata combines tradition, spirituality and hospitality, offering pilgrims modernized resources such as digitized traveler information and scroll Testimony certificate to commemorate their journey.
The newly announced guide will map more than a thousand kilometers of the route, highlighting historical, cultural and natural landmarks.
Volunteers stationed at “varco oranti» (prayer entry point) will welcome pilgrims arriving on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.
As reported by the Basilica Reception between June and October 2024, around 3,700 testimonies were delivered to pilgrims arriving in Rome, highlighting the growing appeal of spiritual journeys.
Jubilee 2025 is expected to attract pilgrims from around the world, with dedicated volunteers ensuring a warm and spiritually enriching welcome.
A collaborative initiative
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of Saint Peter’s Basilica and president of the Fabrique Saint-Pierre, expressed his gratitude for this collaboration.
“We are happy that the Homo Viator-San Teobaldo Foundation helps us welcome pilgrims from all over the world to the tomb of the Apostle Peter,” he said.
Father Raimondo Sinibaldi, of the Homo Viator-San Teobaldo Foundation, highlighted the spiritual significance of this initiative, saying: “Our mission is to make the arrival in Rome a moment of great spiritual significance.”
“A new route along the Via Trionfale will guide pilgrims directly to St. Peter’s Basilica, providing improved security and a deeper spiritual experience,” he added.
In addition, RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italianathe Italian railway network) and the city government of Rome are restoring a disused railway section and the Monte Ciocci tunnel, closed for a decade.
These improvements aim to enrich the landscape and create a welcoming atmosphere for pilgrims as they approach St. Peter’s Basilica.
