jubilee year

The crowds of pilgrims and tourists are back here, for this is currently a Jubilee year, celebrated by the Catholic Church once every 25 years.

Tens of thousands of Catholics had gathered in Rome for Easter Mass during this special jubilee year, which takes place every 25 years and sees millions of pilgrims descend on the city.

The jubilee year kicked off with the Pope opening the usually bricked-up Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica on 24 December.

The trip was planned this year as it is Jubilee Year for all Catholics – something that only happens once very 25 years.

The crowd, a mixture of priests and nuns based in Rome and Catholic pilgrims here for a Jubilee year, were led by an American cardinal.