Rome in Jubilee Year: A Four-Day Pilgrimage Through History, Faith, and Pasta

©️victoriaam

Rome has a way of humbling you. No matter how many photos you’ve seen or stories you’ve heard, nothing truly prepares you for standing in the heart of a city where faith, history, and everyday life all collide. In December 2025, we spent four unforgettable days in Rome during Jubilee Year, a once-in-a-generation experience that made this trip even more meaningful.

What Is Jubilee Year?

In the Catholic faith, a Jubilee Year is a holy year celebrated every 25 years. It is a time centered on forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal. Pilgrims from all over the world travel to Rome to pass through the Holy Doors, Porta Sancta, of the four major papal basilicas, including St. Peter’s Basilica. These doors are normally sealed and only opened during Jubilee years as a symbol of entering God’s mercy and grace. Walking through them is a powerful act of faith for Catholics, representing renewal and a fresh beginning.

Staying at the Gates of the Vatican

We stayed at the Spring House Hotel by Hilton, and when I say it was right outside the Vatican walls, I mean literally steps away. For those unfamiliar, the Vatican is its own independent city-state, the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. Being so close meant we were immersed in the rhythms of the Holy City from morning until night, surrounded by clergy, and visitors experiencing Jubilee together.

This trip was not planned for me, but it still became incredibly special. My husband and I had been planning this journey for years as a gift for my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday. She practices Catholicism, and going during Jubilee Year made it deeply meaningful for her. Seeing her joy, faith, and gratitude was a blessing in itself. Add in the fact that I was five months pregnant and traveling alongside a mother-in-law who has trouble walking, this trip required patience, planning, and grace. Tough, yes, but worth it.

Day 1: St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica

If I had to choose one place that captured my heart, it was St. Peter’s Basilica. Nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to walking into that space for the first time. Built over the tomb of Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, this basilica is the largest church in the world and a masterpiece of Renaissance art and architecture.

As you walk through, you are surrounded by towering marble pillars, intricate sculptures, and gold-adorned ceilings that seem to stretch endlessly upward. Every step feels intentional, every corner tells a story.

The most powerful moment for me was seeing the depiction of Jesus enthroned, surrounded by elders and angels. I had just finished studying the Book of Revelation, and seeing that scene brought Scripture to life in a way I did not expect. In Revelation 5:6, John writes:

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.”

As a Christian, that moment felt deeply personal, faith moving from page to stone, sculpture, and gold. It was truly spectacular.

After walking through St. Peter’s Square, we ordered an Uber to Bloom Restaurant, which was close to our hotel. I ordered eggplant and my husband ordered cacio e pepe. The food was good, but not amazing. Not bad, just not the wow factor we were hoping for. Little did we know, the best pasta of the entire trip was still waiting for us.

©️victoriaam

We tried walking around the city afterward, but between pregnancy exhaustion and mobility limitations, it quickly became difficult. So we hopped on the Big Red Bus, a hop-on hop-off tour.

That evening, the bus took us past Castro Pretorio, an area historically known for housing the Praetorian Guard, elite Roman soldiers who protected emperors. We also passed Piazza della Repubblica, Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, Piazza Barberini, and several inner parts of the city. Since it was nighttime, we did not hop off, we simply rode the bus and listened to the guide as Rome glowed under the city lights.

We stopped briefly at the train terminal to use the bathroom, which you have to pay for since there are no free public bathrooms in the city. Lines were long, people were rude, and I had to pee. A pregnancy nightmare. Take notes if you ever travel while pregnant.

©️victoriaam

Day 2: The Colosseum, Ancient Rome, and Roman Shopping

The Colosseum was much bigger than I could have imagined. Standing in front of it felt surreal. We did a self-guided tour of the stadium, though there are several options where you can explore different levels or even the underground areas.

Did you know?

  • The Colosseum was completed in 80 AD and could hold over 50,000 spectators

  • Gladiator battles, animal hunts, and public spectacles were held here

  • Despite earthquakes and centuries of stone removal, it still stands as a symbol of Rome’s endurance

©️victoriaam

On the same grounds, we explored the Roman Forum, ancient ruins, and the Arch of Constantine, which is similar in concept to the Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate military victory.

After that, we walked our way up the hill to St. Mary Major Basilica before hopping back on the Big Red Bus. This time it was daylight, and the scenery was absolutely beautiful.

We hopped off near La Rinascente, an upscale mall filled with luxury brands ranging from makeup to clothing. We grabbed lunch on the top floor at Enoteca La Torre Tritone. You really cannot go wrong with club sandwiches and a classic burger. Yes, I know, American food in Italy, but it was delicious and felt safe to eat what we knew.

©️victoriaam

After lunch, we did some shopping, because everything is discounted and tax deductible when leaving the country. We loaded up on Christmas gifts and a few items for ourselves. Walking toward the Spanish Steps, we were surrounded by what felt comparable to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. From Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Chanel, it felt like walking through a dream. Paired with the Christmas decorations lining the streets, it was absolutely stunning.

For dinner, we headed back toward the hotel and ordered Pinsa Romana pizza. The sauce was slightly sweet rather than savory, but the cheese was perfectly balanced. I would rate it an 8 out of 10. The portion size was great, and even though the sweetness was not my preference, it was still very enjoyable.

©️victoriaam

Day 3: Vatican Museums, Trevi Fountain, and the Best Pasta in Rome

We toured the Vatican Museums again, this time doing a self-guided tour, which I highly recommend. It allowed us to move at our own pace as we walked through gold cathedral ceilings, marble floors, Roman statues, ancient artifacts, and incredibly detailed paintings.

My husband and I started the morning with breakfast from Musei Vaticani, a restaurant located in the middle courtyard of the museum. Afterward, we walked through several long hallways filled with Roman statues and artwork. Of course, we saw Michelangelo’s famous Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel. While iconic, I have to be honest, the Vatican Museums as a whole were a bit underwhelming compared to what I expected.

Next up was Trevi Fountain, my second favorite spot in Rome. When we arrived, it was extremely crowded. There was a long line for photos on the steps where people throw their coins, but we chose not to wait. Instead, we stayed at the upper level and took a few selfies. The fountain was just as breathtaking in person as it is in photos.

Side note, my mom visited Rome in November 2024, and much of the city, including the Trevi Fountain, was under construction or completely closed. Everything was being renovated in preparation for Jubilee Year.

©️victoriaam

©️victoriaam

Right next to the fountain, we stopped for gelato at Caffè Roma Gelateria. A solid 100000 out of 10. I do not even remember which flavor I chose, but it was incredibly rich and full of flavor. They even allowed samples if you wanted to try different flavors.

As we walked around the streets, we noticed public water fountains called nasoni. These fountains provide clean, fresh drinking water from ancient aqueducts and are completely safe to drink from. Locals regularly refill their water bottles there. We did not drink from them ourselves, but it was interesting to see how normal it is for residents.

©️victoriaam

Since this was our last full night in Rome, we headed back to the hotel to pack before heading out one final time for dinner. After doing some serious research and being determined to have an amazing bowl of pasta before leaving, I found Pastasciutta.

©️victoriaam

©️victoriaam

This small takeout-style spot allows you to order one of seven pasta dishes directly from the window for just 8 euros. The bowl was massive, and the pasta was freshly made in under ten minutes. I ordered Strozzapreti al pesto, and my husband ordered Spaghetti alla Carbonara. It was so good that if this place existed near our home, I would eat there every day. For 8 euros, it felt unreal.

©️victoriaam

Day 4: A Slow Goodbye to Rome

On our final day in Rome, we kept things intentionally slow. After four packed days of walking, sightseeing, and soaking in history, it felt right to ease into the morning. We went souvenir shopping, picking up a few last-minute gifts and keepsakes to bring home, and took one final walk near the Vatican walls, knowing this view would soon be a memory.

We could not resist stopping by Pastasciutta one more time before heading out. This time, we both ordered Strozzapreti al tartufo, and it somehow tasted even better than the night before. Standing on the curb with warm pasta in hand felt like the most authentic ending to our Roman adventure.

Soon after, we headed to the airport, tired but full in every sense of the word. Full of food, full of memories, and full of gratitude.

Overall, this trip was everything we hoped for and more. While Rome has endless sights and experiences to offer, our four-day itinerary felt perfect given the circumstances. Jubilee Year brought crowds even during what is normally the off-season, so planning ahead is essential.

This trip was rich in faith, history, and meaningful moments. Watching my mother-in-law experience Rome during Jubilee Year, while sharing it with my husband and growing baby, made it unforgettable. If you ever get the chance to visit Italy, especially during a Jubilee Year, take it, just be sure to build your itinerary in advance.

Until next time, ciao 🇮🇹