Rome is preparing to welcome millions of visitors for the Jubilee Year, as pilgrims pass through the Holy Doors. Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, the Diocese of Rome’s pilgrim office, has planned a series of events aimed at transforming visitors from tourists into true pilgrims. 

Sister Rebecca Nazzaro, recently appointed as the office's first female director, shares her vision for this pilgrimage experience in an interview with EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser. 

 “Our desire,” Sister said, “is to welcome the pilgrims who will come to Rome, the tourists who will come to Rome. And to plant seeds of Christianity, seeds of evangelization within them. Not a tourism that remains solely engaged with the city’s beauty.” 

Andreas Thonhauser: 

Is there also people who are coming who might not be Catholic, who might not be considering themselves as part of this Church? Is there an openness for the Catholic Church when they come to Rome? 

Sister Rebecca Nazzaro: 

“Yes, this is our challenge. 

“Yes, as a community, we offer these art and faith tours. When people book an art and faith tour at the Vatican Museums, they find a sister like us, and they’re often a bit surprised, thinking that the art and faith tour within the museums might be more like a catechism class. So, the tourists are initially a bit puzzled, wondering why they asked for a guide and a sister has arrived. 

“Since our tour starts from a historical foundation…" 

“Then the person is gradually led to realize that opening oneself to faith is not about going against one's own identity or humanity. Instead, it’s an enrichment of what a person is called to be in life, both for oneself and for the common good. So, in the end, a tour that should last two hours, or an hour and a half, often goes on longer because so many questions arise. This is the wisdom and insight of the Church.” 

Andreas Thonhauser: 

Why would you say people should come next year to Rome for the Jubilee? 

Sister Rebecca Nazzaro: 

“Because it’s a historical fact. The Jubilee originated here in Rome; it’s a tradition of the people.  

“Here, Cardinal Stefaneschi conducted a study and discovered that there was this custom where, at the turn of each hundred years, the People of God would come to Rome to receive God’s forgiveness through the tomb of Peter. He writes that it’s a beautiful thing. In this great flow of people, he met a man who was 107 years old. This man had received a message from his father in the year 1200, when he was just 7 years old: 'Remember, if you live to see the year 1300, remember to go to Rome and receive this great forgiveness before the tomb of Peter.”  

Andreas Thonhauser: 

“You are also in a new role here at the Opera. What is your vision for the future?” 

Sister Rebecca Nazzaro: 

“So that desire I personally have, as I take on this responsibility and become familiar with this well-organized machine, makes me certain that we can do much good for humanity.  

“In every society, every organization aims to achieve a purpose, a goal. Our goal is somewhat unique, as we seek to find every possible way to make the treasure of the Gospel accessible to as many people as possible.” 

Adapted by Jacob Stein 

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