Visitors to Rome for the Jubilee celebrations can stay at Casa per ferie – San Giuseppe della Montagna, located in the heart of Rome, close to the Vatican walls.
ROME, Italy, 2025-Apr-11 — /Travel PR News/ — The King and Queen’s historic meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican took place this week, after initially being cancelled because of the Pope’s ill health. The King is one of 60 million people that are expected to visit the Eternal City this year to join the historic Catholic Jubilee celebrations. With hotel accommodation scarce, staying in a monastery has become a fast-trending alternative!
The King and Queen’s planned meeting with Pope Francis, organised to mark this year’s historic Catholic Jubilee, went ahead yesterday (9 April). It was initially cancelled because of the Pope’s ill health. Their meeting also coincided with their twentieth wedding anniversary.
The event took place at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope is recuperating. It was a briefer meeting than planned because of the Pope’s fragile health and their scheduled attendance at a Jubilee service in the Sistine Chapel had to be cancelled. Nonetheless, the King and Queen said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace that they were ‘delighted the Pope was well enough to host them – and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person’.
The trip was originally planned for this year as it is Jubilee Year for all Catholics – something that only happens once every 25 years. It’s one of a number of events that have had to be revised because of the Pope’s recent hospital stay. However, the Pope was able to make a surprise public appearance on Sunday to take part in a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and, in fact, the packed Jubilee schedule has largely continued apace. It’s one of the world’s oldest celebrations, tracing its history back to the year 1300.
The Pope’s enforced absence does not seem to have reduced the number of visitors flocking to Rome. In fact, many thousands have travelled there specifically to support and pray for him. With numbers mounting, tourism experts are cautioning that available accommodation is struggling to meet the number of anticipated visitors.
Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from Monasteries.com, says: ‘Last year, 30 million people flocked to the Eternal City but that figure is set to double for the Jubilee celebrations. 60 million visitors are likely to visit Rome over the year and, of course, that has an impact on the city’s available accommodation.
‘Vacant hotels and Italy’s traditional “pensiones” are already in short supply, even before the peak May and June Jubilee celebrations. Fortunately, our Jubilee insider’s online guide reveals there is another option. In keeping with this year’s events, visitors can stay in one of Rome’s many monasteries or convents. Many of these are throwing open their doors to the public. What could be a more fitting place to stay in Rome for the Jubilee events?’
‘This year’s Jubilee has a special theme, Pilgrims of Hope, chosen by Pope Francis to spearhead a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war and recovering from the effects of the Covid pandemic. While the Pope, who was hospitalised with double pneumonia, has been unable to lead many events this year the Vatican is hoping he will be able to take a more active part as he recovers. In the meantime, the many scheduled events are continuing as planned.
‘Among the forthcoming Jubilee events are: 25-27 April Jubilee of teenagers, 28-29 April Jubilee of people with disabilities, 1-4 May Jubilee of workers, 4-5 May Jubilee of entrepreneurs and 30 May-1 June Jubilee of families, grandparents and the elderly.
‘With traditional accommodation rapidly becoming booked, visitors now have an alternative. Monasteries.com’s Jubilee guide reveals monasteries and convents that are sited across Rome, from the heart of the city to the peaceful suburbs. While some monasteries are relatively basic, many come fully equipped with modern amenities such as satellite TV and Wi-Fi. Most are far more budget-friendly than hotels or holiday lets and many offer the optional opportunity to participate in the Jubilee activities being held by the monks and nuns.
‘To stay as close to Saint Peter’s Basilica as possible for Jubilee 2025, the guide lists a number of guesthouses within walking distance of the Vatican. For example, Casa per ferie – San Giuseppe della Montagna is located in the heart of Rome, close to the Vatican walls and the city’s historic centre. It’s a welcome sanctuary featuring a pleasant patio with a garden for basking in the Italian sunshine. Rooms are available from £83.17 a night, including bed & breakfast.
Similarly, the impressive Domus Sessoriana, Roma, is just a short walk from the Colosseum and the Basilica of St John Lateran. Located within the ancient walls of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Domus Sessoriana offers a rare opportunity to stay at the heart of a former monastery. Once home to Cistercian monks, this peaceful retreat combines centuries of sacred tradition with modern comforts. This month, rooms are available from just £113.38 a night, with bed & breakfast.
‘Another popular favourite is La Casa Il Rosario. Belonging to the Dominican Sisters of Charity, this centrally situated guesthouse comes equipped with plenty of amenities – including heating and air conditioning – and is bookable for a minimum of two nights and a maximum of 10 days. It still has limited availability for April and accommodation is priced from as little as £43 currently, although it’s getting booked up fast.
‘With King Charles and Pope Francis both having to rearrange their plans recently due to health concerns, there will have been lots of frantic activity behind the scenes to ensure the meeting finally took place. Fortunately, other trips to Rome are far easier to arrange. For more about staying in Rome on a budget during the Jubilee, see the full online guide at: https://www.monasteries.com/en-GB/travelinspiration/where-to-stay-in-rome-for-jubilee-2025
