Tourism operators celebrate religious dimension of work at jubilee pilgrimage in Rome About 400 people participated in a Jubilee of Tourism pilgrimage in Rome on Monday evening, celebrating the unique role the industry plays in supporting the faith and religious experience of millions of pilgrims and tourists. Isabella Ruggiero, president of the Associazioni Guide Turistiche Abilitate (Associations of Qualified Tourist Guides), who helped organize the jubilee dedicated to tourism workers, said the Dec. 15 pilgrimage was a way to bring together the professional community that daily supports visitors to Italy and the Vatican. \u201cThis special jubilee is dedicated not only to tourist guides but to all those who work in the world of tourism: guides, tour leaders, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, accommodation providers,\u201d Ruggiero told CNA. \u201cEvery pilgrimage and every single trip is the result of the work of dozens of people who help organize and carry out the trip and the pilgrimage at every stage, and who generally remain \u2018behind the scenes\u2019: from booking transportation, to cleaning the accommodation where people stay, from conceptual work, to the humblest tasks \u2014 all are necessary,\u201d she said. Italian Bishop Antonio Staglian\u00f2, president of the Pontifical Academy of Theology and rector of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto, opened the pilgrimage with a Mass celebration at San Salvatore in Lauro, one of Rome\u2019s 13 Jubilee of Hope churches located near the popular tourist destination Piazza Navona. The pilgrimage also included a candlelit procession over the Bridge of the Angels, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in front of Castel Sant\u2019Angelo, and crossing the Holy Door of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica on the evening the Vatican unveiled its Nativity display in the square. Roman tour guide Elizabeth Lev said the evening pilgrimage was a \u201cgreat moment of reconciliation\u201d and a chance to renew her own joy and hope of guiding pilgrims in the Eternal City, especially as the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope draws closer to its conclusion. \u201cThe Jubilee of Tourism was an opportunity for us to become pilgrims, to pass through the Holy Door [at St. Peter\u2019s Basilica] for prayer, instead of profession, and to give thanks for the many gifts of the year,\u201d she told CNA. \u201cWe have spent so much time arranging other people\u2019s events that we only realized, \u2018in extremis,\u2019 that we didn\u2019t have one for ourselves,\u201d she said. \u201cAs luck would have it, the Vatican Christmas tree was lit as we entered the square so the last steps were accompanied by the joyful lights and sounds of Christmas hymns.\u201d \u201cIt was one of the most moving days of my life,\u201d she added. According to Ruggiero, more than 3,000 licensed tour guides of different nationalities currently operate in Rome. \u201cThe role of the guide is to bring people of every social background and culture closer to beauty, art, and history, and to teach respect for our shared heritage,\u201d the tourism association president said. \u201cIn the case of pilgrims, [it is] to highlight the spiritual and religious dimensions above all others.\u201d While religious tourism in Rome has \u201cconsistently remained high\u201d with approximately 10 million pilgrims and visitors each year, Ruggiero said these numbers significantly increase during the Church\u2019s jubilee years. \u201cIn the Holy Year 2000, Rome welcomed approximately 25 million pilgrims,\u201d she said. \u201cEstimates for the current jubilee indicate that around 30 million pilgrims are expected to have visited the city by the end of the year.\u201d The 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica on the Jan. 6 solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. This article was originally published by CNA. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Kristina Millare Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Vatican refreshes official website for first time in nearly 30 years Pope Francis to speak at event on Italy\u2019s record-low birth rate Chinese bishops leaving Synod on Synodality early Vinicio, the Ill Man Whose Embrace with Pope Francis Moved the World, Passes Away What does a general audience with Pope Francis consist of? Pope Francis meets with president of Cuba<\/p>\n