As Rome gears up for the highly anticipated 2025 Jubilee year, St. Peter’s Basilica has introduced two impactful charity endeavors dedicated to aiding refugees and incarcerated individuals. With an anticipated influx of over 30 million pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee, the city is bustling with preparations, including the construction of a pedestrian area outside Vatican News’ offices.
St. Peter’s Basilica has taken the spotlight with its commitment to social causes, unveiling two noteworthy projects. The first, named "Sea Rosaries," is a collaboration with the House of the Spirit and the Arts Foundation. Within the iconic basilica, refugees are actively involved in crafting rosaries from wood sourced from migrant boats that made the perilous journey to Europe. Prisoners from various Italian correctional facilities are also contributing to this noble cause, engaging in the initial stages of rosary construction.
The second initiative stems from a partnership with the Second Chance Association, a non-profit dedicated to providing employment opportunities for prisoners and ex-convicts. A notable example is an inmate from Rome’s Rebibbia prison, employed full-time as an electrician within St. Peter's Basilica for several months. Additionally, inmates from the Mammagialla prison in Viterbo are using their skills to create bags as part of this meaningful collaboration.
During a press conference held at the Vatican on Tuesday, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, drew parallels between the upcoming Jubilee and the basilica’s charitable initiatives. He highlighted the historical significance of Jubilees in promoting concepts of liberation, debt forgiveness, and land regeneration, mirroring the spirit behind the Basilica’s modern-day social projects—fostering solidarity and providing individuals with a second chance.
Flavia Filippi and Arnoldo Mondadori, founders of the "Second Chance" Association and the "House of the Spirit and the Arts," respectively, were also present at the press conference. Giovanni Russo, the head of Italy’s Department for the Administration of Prisons, emphasized the potential for continued growth in the collaboration between St. Peter’s and the Second Chance Association. Russo described the employment of an electrician as an initial step, hinting at future endeavors in this laudable partnership."