Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel

The Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel

In an interview two years after his election, Pope Francis said that one of the things he missed most since becoming pope was the opportunity to go out for a pizza without being noticed. Like many leaders, he is surrounded by security, every step carefully planned, monitored, and watched by the Vatican's own security forces.

But he said: 

“The only thing I would like is to go out one day, without being recognised, and go to a pizzeria for a pizza”. 

Shortly afterwards, during a papal visit to Naples, a Neapolitan pizzeria owner took matters into his own hands and ran alongside the famous popemobile and handed Pope Francis a specially created pizza! As the Associated Press reported:

Now, although it appears unlikely the beloved Pope will ever get his chance to visit a pizzeria incognito, at least he's got his pizza.

Security, police, armed forces – these are part of everyday life for everyone, not just world leaders.

Members of the armed forces and police, security personnel, veterans, military associations and academies, chaplaincies and military ordinariates are invited to a special Jubilee event in Rome, together with their families, from 8-9 February 2025, culminating in Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St Peter's Square.

In May last year, addressing participants in the International Military Pilgrimage at the French Marian shrine of Lourdes, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of faith informing service: 

“The world needs you, especially at this dark moment in our history. We need men and women of faith who are capable of putting weapons at the service of peace and brotherhood”.

The Programme

In preparation for and to coincide with the Jubilee event in Rome, a series of reflections and questions will be posted from 7-10 February 2025 to help us participate with the pilgrims of hope gathered in Rome.

Join us as pilgrims of hope for this second major Jubilee event of 2025.