During the Holy Year 2025 celebrations, Rome hosts the 14th Pilgrimage of the Order of Malta Germany. Some 680 pilgrims from various German dioceses arrived in the capital, accompanied by 328 volunteers and 69 members of Malteser Hilfsdienst. 278 disabled people were able to take part in the pilgrimage thanks to the continual support of dedicated doctors, nurses and assistants.

The pilgrimage offered participants the opportunity to combine spirituality, culture and sharing. During the Roman days, pilgrims visited the Vatican Gardens and Museums and participated in liturgical celebrations in some of the city’s major basilicas. Among the most exciting moments, the audience with Pope Leo XIV proved to be a very intense spiritual experience, reinforcing the sense of belonging to the great Order of Malta family.

On Wednesday afternoon, the delegation moved to the Order’s Magistral Villa, where Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz welcomed the pilgrims, thanking them for their significant presence in Rome during the Holy Year: “All the commitment and dedication we put into our humanitarian works would be nothing if they didn’t have the Order of Malta’s spirituality to uphold them. This is why it is important to cultivate initiatives such as this pilgrimage to Rome, under the symbol of the Jubilee of Hope”.

In addition to the spiritual moments, it was possible to discover Rome in its most famous squares and monuments. Walking through the Piazza di Spagna, visiting the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, pilgrims were able to immerse themselves in the history, art and culture of the eternal city, accompanied by volunteers who gave everyone the opportunity to live every experience in an accessible and participatory manner.

The 14th Pilgrimage of the Order of Malta Germany to Rome once again confirms the Order’s ability to combine faith, culture and service to those most in need, offering pilgrims an intense and unforgettable experience in the heart of Christianity.

Photo-credit: © Malteser in Deutschland