Rome was already set to welcome more visitors than usual in 2025, given it’s the city’s quarter-century Jubilee Year, but after the passing of Pope Francis was announced at 9.45am on Easter Monday (April 21), even more people are expected to the city who will have travelled far to pay their respects.
Larger crowds and closures to some of Rome’s most-visited attractions are expected, so here’s what we know so far about travelling to the Italian capital and getting around it during this period of mourning.
What is the Rome Jubilee and what is happening in 2025?
Latest Rome and Vatican City travel advice after Pope Francis’s death
On the FCDO’s travel advice page for Italy, it reads: ‘Following the death of Pope Francis on 21 April, large crowds are expected in Rome and the Vatican City over the coming days. Please follow the advice of local authorities.’
Given the city is expected to be even busier than usual, make sure to watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers – back in 2013 when Pope Benedict XVI resigned, the FCDO warned of ‘an increased risk of petty crime’ around the city.
How to access the Vatican City and Rome’s major attractions during the mourning period
The Pope’s death has triggered an official nine days of mourning (known as ‘novendiale’), with his funeral set to take place on Saturday April 26.
While this means that around Rome, the operation of attractions largely won’t be affected, it will be experiencing bigger crowds, increased security and the potential for restrictions at St Peter’s Basilica, if there are deemed to be too many people.
As for the Vatican Museums Complex, which includes the Sistine Chapel, this will be closed and according to the Independent, the site shows no availability until May 5. This includes any tours, which have been paused for during the funeral period and the conclave.
How to get around Rome in the coming week
Flights to and from Rome aren’t expected to be impacted by the Pope’s passing, and neither are the trains. Public transport in the city will likely be busier than usual, but Rome’s metro network, trams and buses should all be operating as normal over the next few weeks.
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