"Welcome to Piazza Pia. Few believed in it but we did it. The Jubilee gives Rome a new beautiful square that required maximum commitment and collaboration that allowed us to overcome the unexpected." This was said by the mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri, during the inauguration of Piazza Pia for the Jubilee.
"Workers and archaeologists intervened: a powerful collective effort for which I bring the gratitude of Rome", he continued. "A reckless challenge. But we believed that it was not possible to miss the opportunity, take the risk and give Rome this beautiful square". Piazza Pia is the symbolic work of the Jubilee 2025, the large pedestrian square with trees and fountains that connects Castel Sant'Angelo to Via della Conciliazione and the Vatican, creating a single walkable space up to the Colonnade . Below the square a new tunnel, built for the occasion, allows cars to pass towards the Lungotevere.
The construction sites, built by Anas, lasted 450 days and cost 85.3 million . In addition to Mayor Gualtieri, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini and President of the Lazio Region Francesco Rocca. Religious authorities included the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Pope's delegate to the Jubilee Monsignor Rino Fisichella. Also present were the President and CEO of Anas Edoardo Valente and Aldo Isi.
"This is the square of the embrace, here a new phase of collaboration opens between the Holy See and the city of Rome, ready to launch Pope Francis' message of peace together with the Italian state", Gualtieri's speech. "We have moved two large collectors with an engineering maneuver with few precedents. We have seen the best of Italian technology. We have moved the fullonica, the laundry of ancient Rome and other finds that will be exhibited. History is not an obstacle but works like the Jubilee are an opportunity. Now the largest urban pedestrian area in Rome is born: it will be able to hold up to 150,000 people , with fountains, steps and trees where you can not only pass by but stop to admire the beauty of Rome".
