Vatican City: The Vatican has issued its official message for World Tourism Day 2025, urging the global tourism sector to embrace sustainability, fairness, and faith as guiding principles in a rapidly transforming world. Released by the Dicastery for Evangelization, the message aligns with this year’s theme: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, and comes during the spiritually significant Jubilee Year 2025.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery, emphasized that tourism should not only contribute to economic development but also uphold values such as justice, care for the environment, and Christian hospitality. In an era marked by increasing global movement, he called for a balanced use of natural resources to safeguard both ecological integrity and public health.
“In the face of such mobility,” Archbishop Fisichella stated, “we are challenged to ensure that our travel habits and tourism industry models respect the Earth and its communities.” He encouraged tourism professionals to adopt eco-friendly strategies and to prioritize the wellbeing of both tourists and workers.
One of the central concerns in the message is the social justice dimension of tourism. Archbishop Fisichella underscored the importance of fair wages and decent working conditions for those employed in the tourism sector. As global travel surges, he warned against greed-fueled development, cautioning communities against shutting their doors to visitors or exploiting tourism solely for profit.
Acknowledging that over-tourism poses real threats in many destinations, he proposed forward-thinking solutions, including better use of technology and proactive urban planning, to ensure tourism remains a force for good without overwhelming local resources.
The Archbishop also pointed to the spiritual role of the Christian community within the tourism landscape. He highlighted the unique contribution of shrines and pilgrimage sites, which serve as sanctuaries for rest, reflection, and deeper spiritual engagement. These sacred spaces, he noted, offer travelers a chance to reconnect with life's deeper meaning through silence, prayer, and dialogue with the divine.
With the Jubilee Year 2025 unfolding, Archbishop Fisichella expressed hope that this holy season would act as a catalyst for a renewed, hopeful vision of tourism—one rooted in human dignity and sustainability. He urged the faithful to see tourism not only as a leisure activity but also as a vehicle for evangelization and mutual understanding.
To further this mission, the Vatican also announced that Rome will host the Ninth World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Tourism from October 16–19, 2025. This global gathering will bring together church leaders, tourism professionals, and policymakers to reflect on how tourism can be a powerful tool for spiritual enrichment and ethical progress.
In conclusion, the Vatican’s 2025 message is a powerful reminder that true transformation in tourism lies not just in infrastructure or technology, but in values—respect, fairness, and the shared hope that unites all people on their journeys.