In brief
Residents of Rome express ambivalence regarding the city’s transformation in anticipation of the 2025 Catholic Jubilee, with officials touting new infrastructure while tenant displacement concerns grow.
A new underpass has recently opened, marking a significant improvement in Rome’s traffic situation after enduring over a year of construction chaos. This underpass, which extends through the heart of the city near the Vatican, has enabled a major pedestrian zone connecting the Tiber River to the iconic religious site. Expected to welcome around 32 million visitors, the Jubilee is poised to be a milestone event for the Catholic Church, offering a year of faith, penance, and reconciliation.Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, lauded the completion of several urban projects aimed at beautifying the city and improving green spaces. "It’s a miracle," he claims, highlighting the fast-paced public works initiated in preparation for the influx of visitors. However, the perspective of many Romans tells a different story: an ongoing struggle against rising rents and changes in the local fabric of the city.Young residents like Martina Battista, a 23-year-old medical student, have felt the brunt of the transformations firsthand. She recently faced eviction as her landlord aims to convert her apartment into a short-term rental to cash in on the anticipated tourist boom. “It’s been an ordeal,” she reflects, capturing a sentiment of unease among locals trying to maintain their homes amid escalating prices driven by tourism.While the Vatican and city leaders celebrate upgraded monuments and pedestrian-friendly areas, the resulting construction and conversion projects have triggered frustration among residents—exacerbated by detours and congested streets. The challenge remains for officials to balance the celebratory fixation on tourism with the pressing need to preserve Rome's cultural identity and economic diversity as it gears up for a pivotal year in its history.
