In a significant event for the faithful, the original statue of Our Lady of Fátima will be brought to Rome as part of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality, set to take place on October 11–12, 2025.
This special occasion marks a moment of spiritual reflection for many, with the statue being a symbol of “hope that does not disappoint.”
It will be present at the Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, October 12, at 10:30 a.m. local time.
A Rare Event: The Statue’s Journey to Rome
This will be only the fourth time the original statue has traveled from the Fátima shrine to Rome.
The statue is taken to the Vatican only at the express request of the pope, making it a rare and exceptional occasion.
The first time this happened was in 1984 during the Extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption, when Pope John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The second and third occasions were in 2000, for the Great Jubilee, and in October 2013, during the Year of Faith under Pope Francis.
A Chance for Pilgrims to Experience the Presence of Mary
The Dicastery for Evangelization has announced that attending the Mass in St. Peter’s Square for the jubilee event will be free of charge, with no tickets required.
Registration for the event is already open on the official jubilee website and will remain open until August 10, 2025.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, expressed the importance of the statue’s presence, emphasizing that it allows believers to experience the closeness of the Virgin Mary.
“It is one of the most significant Marian images for Christians throughout the world,” he said, quoting Pope Francis’ words about Mary being “the most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children.”
An Exceptional Occasion for Devotion
Father Carlos Cabecinhas, the rector of the Fátima shrine, also highlighted the exceptional nature of this event.
He explained that the statue’s journey from the shrine at Cova da Iria to Rome only happens upon the specific request of the popes.
The presence of the statue will offer all who attend the opportunity to draw closer to the Virgin Mary, whose words to the three little shepherds at Fátima continue to resonate today: “I will never leave you.
My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the path that will lead you to God.”
This visit will undoubtedly be a momentous occasion for those who seek to deepen their spiritual connection through the powerful symbolism of Our Lady of Fátima.