As Christmas Eve approaches, the Eternal City prepares to welcome an estimated 35 million pilgrims for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. This significant event, held once every 25 years, invites the faithful to visit sacred sites, perform acts of piety, and receive plenary indulgence from the Pope. The Jubilee will officially start on 24th December 2024, marked by the opening of the Saint Peter’s Basilica's Holy Door,
Ahead of the Holy Year, the Vatican has unveiled a new mobile post office in St. Peter’s Square. The post office, commissioned by Poste Italiane, was inaugurated today and will serve the pilgrims, visitors, and citizens arriving in Rome for this momentous event.
Inauguration of the Mobile Post Office
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new office took place today, attended by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State; Giuseppe Lasco, General Manager of Poste Italiane; Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate; and other notable figures, including lawyer Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi and engineers Salvatore Farina, Antonino Intersimone, and Luigi Salimbeni.
This new post office is strategically located in the Charlemagne Wing of St. Peter’s Square. It features a 16-sided polygonal design with glass walls, blending modern architecture with the grandeur of the square. The office is fully accessible to all, reflecting Poste Italiane's commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. The structure uses eco-friendly materials such as wood and glass, which align with the company’s values of environmental respect and lightness.
A Symbol of Service and Connection
Giuseppe Lasco, the General Manager of Poste Italiane, expressed his pride in the new facility, emphasizing the company’s long-standing spirit of service. "It is not only a key service point during major events like the Jubilee, but also a space for everyday use by locals and visitors alike."
The Vatican mobile post office goes beyond offering traditional postal services. It also features a space dedicated to philately, showcasing exclusive products from both Poste Italiane and Poste Vaticane. Visitors will have the chance to explore and purchase unique stamps and postal items while immersed in the artistic and religious atmosphere of St. Peter’s Square.
The office was designed by AMDL CIRCLE and Michele De Lucchi. With its thoughtful layout, the building offers visitors a comfortable waiting area and beautiful views of St. Peter’s Square, the basilica, and the surrounding colonnade. The experience of visiting the post office thus becomes more than a simple postal stop—it's an opportunity to reflect on the beauty and spirituality of the Vatican, making it a memorable part of the Jubilee pilgrimage.