Latest news with #JubileeYear
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Archbishop of York co-leads Jubilee Year pilgrimage through city
An ecumenical pilgrimage, to mark the Jubilee Year of 2025, took place in York on Wednesday (June 18). The walk was led by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and the Bishop of Middlesbrough, Terry Drainey, and saw pilgrims walk together from the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow to York Minster for an afternoon shared service. The late Pope Francis gave the 2025 Jubilee Year the theme of 'Pilgrims of Hope.' Archbishop Cottrell said: "When I met with the late Pope Francis, he encouraged us to walk together, work together, and pray together. "This opportunity to gather in York Minster is doing just that. "We are all part of the family of God - sisters and brothers on the Way. "It was a great joy to be present at Pope Leo's Installation Mass, and I was greatly encouraged when he expressed his commitment to seeking the reestablishment of full and visible communion among all those who profess the same faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "I look forward to this time of prayer, friendship, and shared witness as we build stronger bridges across our traditions." Bishop Terry Drainey said: "In this year when we mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, it is especially meaningful to stand alongside one another and profess together: 'This is our faith; this is the faith of the Church, and we are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus Our Lord. "'Amen.'" The service in the Minster included the renewal of baptismal promises, and drew on both Anglican and Catholic liturgies.
Local Italy
3 days ago
- Local Italy
What to expect when travelling to Italy this summer
Beaches For many who visit Italy during the summer, beaches are the biggest draw - but you'll need to decide whether you prefer a free public beach or are willing to fork out for a spot at one of the many privately-run beach clubs that dot the coastline. The average cost to rent two sunbeds and an umbrella at a beach club this year is €32-€35 per day during weekends, according to consumer watchdog Codacons, though prices can vary significantly depending on location. In Sabaudia, south of Rome, customers can expect to pay up to €45; in Gallipoli on the southern coast of Puglia, €90; and in parts of Sardinia, as much as €120. Crowds Summer holidays start relatively early in Italy, with schools across the country closed from the second half of June and many families taking the opportunity to cool off on the shores of beaches and lakes. It's not until August, though, that you'll really be competing for a spot to put down your towel, as this is when most Italians head to the sea to escape stifling temperatures inland. Expect to find beaches packed and many cafes, shops and restaurants in cities closed or open for limited hours, particularly during the mid-August Ferragosto break. An estimated 20.7 million visitors are expected to stay in Italy's beach towns between June and August this year, an increase of two percent on the same period in 2024. Though most Italian cities empty out during the summer, the Vatican's Jubilee Year celebrations in Rome are expected to draw additional crowds to the Eternal City. Weather Summer in Italy is always hot, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s (Celcius) in many parts of the country, and this year is expected to be no different. A series of "long-lasting and persistent heatwaves," with mostly sunny weather are currently forecast for July and August, says meteorologist Mattia Gussoni, writing for weather site Though projections are still subject to change, as things stand there aren't expected to be any record-breaking high temperatures. That means it's gearing up to be a summer that will likely be "fully enjoyed by tourists," says meteorologist Alessio Gussoni. Travel direct flight routes from airlines including Easyjet, American Airlines and Vueling. For those who prefer to travel by rail, a a new overnight train linking Marseille to Rome is due to run from July 4th until August 30th, and Italy's Trenitalia plans to resume a popular night train service connecting Rome to Munich, Germany, on July 15th. If you've seen recent headlines about overtourism protests in Spain over or the sudden closure of the Louvre due to staff being overwhelmed by visitor numbers, you may wonder if something similar could happen in Italy this summer. limit the number of visitors who arrive during peak seasons. However, as things stand, anti-tourism protests and walkouts in Italy are on a smaller scale than those taking place in Spain.
The Journal
13-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Italian teenager to become Catholic Church's first millennial saint in September
THE CANONISATION OF Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, will take place in September. The London-born Italian teenager died from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He had been due to be canonised on 27 April during the Jubilee of Teenagers – part of the overall Jubilee Year of the Church –but this was postponed after Pope Francis's death. The late pope died on 21 April and was buried on 26 April. Pope Leo XIV met with Cardinals at the Vatican this morning and gave his formal approval for the canonisations of eight people, including Acutis. Pope Leo announced that Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonised together on 7 September. Frassati was an anti-fascist mountain-climber who died aged just 24 . And while Acutis's original canonisation date of 27 April was postponed, it nevertheless ended up being a day of celebration for the Italian teenager. What was meant to be the first official day of mourning for Francis on 27 April instead became a celebration of Carlo, with the streets of Rome a sea of teenagers wearing caps and t-shirts bearing his image. Acutis's miracles When a miracle is attributed to someone after their death, they receive the title 'Blessed' by the Catholic Church. A second posthumous miracle then needs to be attributed to this person in order for them to be considered for Sainthood. Last May, Francis formally recognised a second posthumous miracle attributed to Acutis, paving the way for him to become a saint . Francis formally recognised the first miracle attributed to Acutis in 2020 and this was the healing of a Brazilian child who was born with a pancreatic defect that made eating difficult. Advertisement This miracle is said to have occurred after the Brazilian child came into contact with one of Acutis's t-shirts. After the recognition of this first miracle, Acutis was beatified and received the title of 'Blessed' and began to be venerated by some within the Church. The second miracle, formally recognised last May, involved the healing of a 21-year-old woman from Costa Rica named Valeria Valverde. In 2022, she was involved in a bicycle accident and suffered a severe head injury while studying in Florence, Italy. Valverde then had emergency surgery to reduce pressure on her brain, but her family were told that the situation was critical, and that Valverde may not survive. Her mother is said to have gone on a pilgrimage to the tomb of Acutis in the Italian town of Assisi, where the teenager is buried in jeans, a tracksuit top, and Nike shoes. According to the Church, on the same day that Valverde's mother went to pray at the tomb of Acutis, Valverde began to breathe on her own and the following day she was able to move her arms and speak. She was able to leave the intensive care unit ten days later and it is reported that Valverde has made a full recovery, needing only a week of physiotherapy after leaving hospital. The Catholic Church defines a miracle as a 'sign or wonder such as a healing, or control of nature, which can only be attributed to divine power'. For something to be formally recognised by the Church as a miracle, two-thirds of a medical board consisting of at least six doctors are required to sign a statement affirming that the supposed miraculous event cannot be explained by natural causes. The miraculous recovery must also be a complete, spontaneous, immediate healing from a documented medical condition. Acutis, who died in Monza, Italy, has been dubbed 'the patron saint of the internet' and 'God's influencer'. He was interested in computer science and made a website dedicated to Eucharistic miracles. When Acutis was first declared 'Blessed' by the Church in 2020, Pope Francis remarked that it 'demonstrated that holiness is attainable even in our modern world.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Fresh flights send New Yorkers running for Italy's high heel
This month, Italian startup carrier Neos launched the first ever nonstop direct flights from America to the country's buzziest region, Puglia. The JFK to Bari route will operate once weekly through Oct. 15, with prices starting from $1,000 for standard economy seating and an upgraded Premium Relax cabin for around $400 more. The outbound flight is on Tuesday, with the return from Bari every Wednesday over that window. 5 Fly direct from JFK with Neos. Michela Celi Even better, there's a stylish and roomy new lounge at Bari airport so you can wait for that return in style. The region's been on the rise for a decade or more, but local experts say the Dolce & Gabbana show, which took place on a makeshift runway winding through the fairytale-like cottages, known as trulli, in Alberobello two years ago turbocharged curiosity. 'We saw a 120% increase in booking from US clients from the region for 2024, after that,' said Ben Julius, who runs Tourist Italy. 'And we already see a 50% increase on that for 2025.' Still, you won't have to worry about over-tourism issues as you might in Venice peak season or, certainly, in Rome during this Jubilee Year. Puglia's at its Goldilocks stage, right now, per Stellavision Travel's Zoe Shapiro, it's just right. 'The region is definitely in that incredible moment where there are wonderful hospitality options to be had but it's not over-explored yet.' 5 Puglia's OG boutique retreat, Masseria Trapana, is newly refreshed. Handout Thankfully, there's already a raft of superb hotels on tap. Pick of them is the chic makeover of the nine-room Masseria Trapana, run by expat Aussie Rob Potter-Saunders, who was a visionary when he opened a decade ago. La Fiermontina in central Lecce is a cluster of three properties, owned by a pair of wealthy Moroccan-Italian siblings. Book one of the four rooms they've installed in the museum they operate in tribute to their grandmother, a famous artists' muse born nearby. 5 Park at palace perches like La Fiermontina Palazzo Bozzi Corso in Lecce. La Fiermontina New this year: the buyout-only 10-bedroom mansion house Casina Cinquepozzi, in the tiny village of Putignano, best known in Italy for its carnival celebrations. Nigerian jewelry designer Thelma West and her Neopolitan husband, Stefano Liotta, bought it to turn it into a stylish retreat for creatives. Otherwise, check out Trulli e Puglia, said Embark Beyond's Jack Ezon. 'Mimmo Patrizio Palmisano is the mayor of Alberobello, and a great guy who will invite you to his home,' he raved. 5 Enjoy a swish stay at Casina Cinquepozzi, Handout Don't miss the chance for a candelit meal in Grotta Palazzese on the waterfront in Polignano a Mare — not for the food, but for the setting, in dramatic grottos carved out from the cliffs there. The menu's more impressive at the Michelin-nodded Meraviglioso nearby — try some of the assorted pesce crudo. Wine lovers should make sure not to miss the 20-seater My Wine in Monopoli, where host-owner Gianni de Bellis offers advice and an encyclopedic selection. Olive groves abound here, too, of course and to see a farm dating back to the Roman era, complete with forests of hundred-plus-year old trees at Antica Masseria Brancati. Most of the action in Puglia, especially noteworthy hotels, is centered on the Adriatic stretch between the cities of Brindisi and Bari, but if you want to lounge on a top tier beach, you'll need to head over to the other, Ionian Coast, where the sandy spits are far more appealing. Campomarino is a standout, or head over to Tarento for boat trips to spot the Ionian dolphin in the northern reaches of the namesake sea, year-round. 5 The coveted Mathraki Beach on the Ionian coast. Dionisio Iemma – Several companies offer a quirky way to roam the back roads: classic cars. Puglia Auto Classica will rent you the likes of a Lancia Flaminia complete with the original red seats, while the aptly named 500 Journeys just launched a fleet of meticulously restored Fiat 500s. Antonello Losito, who runs Puglia-based Southern Visions has two must-see spots he suggests on any country adventure. Go to the Giardini Pistoia, a country estate that only recently opened to the public — there are concerts there during summertime, and a superb organic shop which sells the manse's own wines. Likewise, he recommends a detour to the Le Constantine Foundation which preserves and champions the skills — long synonymous with Puglia. 'The art of weaving is kept alive here,' he said, noting that the artisans' onsite shop sells everything from handwovens tablecloths or towels to wall hangings, scarves and shawls. Ezon adds another insider spot for handcrafted souvenirs: Barbara Sperti, a custom shirtmaker based in Putignano: 'It's worth a half-day detour with dinner in one of the great restaurants there,' he said. 'And her shirts are a bargain — totally made to measure at [approximately] $170.'
Local Italy
12-06-2025
- Local Italy
LISTED: The big changes for travel in Italy this summer
New direct flights Several international airlines have launched new direct flights to Italy in recent weeks in response to growing demand for non-stop travel options. Italian private airline Neos became the first-ever carrier to offer a non-stop connection between the US and Puglia on June 3rd, while American Airlines launched daily direct flights linking Miami to Rome Fiumicino and Dallas-Fort Worth to Venice Marco Polo on June 5th. British budget airline EasyJet is also set to strengthen its presence in Italy this summer by operating twice-weekly flights between Bristol and Palermo, Sicily, starting on June 26th. You can find a comprehensive list of all new flight routes to and from Italy this summer in this article. Jubilee celebrations in Rome Large tourist crowds are far from a rare sight in Rome over the summer months, as the Eternal City is the most visited Italian city, with over 30 million visitors a year on average. But the number of people travelling to the Italian capital is expected to increase sharply this summer due to special events related to the Vatican's Jubilee Year – a special Holy Year for the Catholic Church which focuses on forgiveness and the remission of sins. Though there are no up-to-date estimates of how many people will visit Rome this summer, planned Jubilee events are expected to draw millions of faithful to the city in the coming months. According to a recent estimate from Italian research centre Certa, around one million pilgrims will travel to the Eternal City in late July to attend the Youth Jubilee (July 28th-August 3rd). Besides an additional influx of tourists, the Jubilee is also expected to result in price hikes in a number of areas – from the hospitality industry (especially short-term holiday lets and hotel stays) to transport services and cultural sites. Higher US alert level for travel in Italy The US State Department raised its travel advisory warning level for Italy from one to two in late May, urging American citizens to "exercise increased caution' on upcoming trips. US authorities said the update was related to the 'risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy' without providing further details about specific terror threats. Though there have been no recent terrorism-related incidents in Italy, the State Department advised American visitors to 'stay alert', 'check local media for breaking news" and 'prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations'. New Marseille-Rome night train After a popular train line linking Paris with the Italian cities of Turin and Milan reopened in early April following a 19-month closure, train travel between Italy and France is set to expand further this summer with the launch of a new overnight train linking Marseille to Rome. Operated by Italy's Trenitalia, the Espresso Riviera service will run every weekend from July 4th to August 30th, with a travel time of just over 15 hours. Besides the new Marseille-Rome link, Trenitalia also plans to resume a popular night train service connecting Rome to Munich, Germany, on July 15th. American transport giant Uber is set to launch new helicopter services on Italy's famous Amalfi Coast this summer, providing well-heeled visitors with speedy connections between the seaside town of Sorrento and the island of Capri. Uber Copter will operate every weekend from July 26th to August 23rd, with round trips coming at €250 per passenger, the transport company said. Besides new helicopter rides, Uber will also offer free boat services between July 26th and August 24th, taking passengers from Sorrento's port to the picturesque cliffside town of Positano aboard stylish Gozzo 35 motorboats. here. Venice entry fee A contested ticketing system requiring day-trippers to pay an entry fee to access Venice's city centre was reintroduced on April 18th after undergoing a 29-day trial last year. The entry charge, which is part of wider plans to regulate tourist crowds and reduce the impact of mass tourism on Venice's infrastructure and artistic heritage, will be in place on a total of 54 dates this year. For a full list of dates and details on how the system works, see our guide. No 'key box ban' for holiday rentals (with some exceptions) People planning to stay in an Italian holiday rental property this summer will be able to check into their accommodation remotely - though there are some exceptions. A contested nationwide ban on remote check-ins was overturned by Lazio's Regional Administrative Court (TAR) in late May, with the court citing the lack of sufficient legal grounds and disproportionate burdens on property owners as the main reasons behind its ruling. The ban had been introduced by Italy's interior ministry in November, ending popular remote check-in practices for guests and leading to a spate of police operations aimed at removing key boxes (lock boxes containing the keys to a property) in cities around the country. Though the court's ruling overturned the national ban, local ordinances outlawing the use of key boxes by holiday rental owners were not affected by the decision. This means that cities that enforce key box bans under municipal laws (for instance, Florence) will continue to do so this summer. Transport strikes Transport strikes are frequent in Italy and this summer will be no exception as Italian trade unions have already announced multiple walkouts affecting air, rail and local public transport services. Quite conveniently though, strikes are generally planned and called well in advance in Italy, and the Italian transport ministry lists them on an online calendar (in Italian). This usually gives travellers some time to arrange alternative means of transportation or, when possible, reschedule their journeys. If you're planning to travel to, from or across Italy this June, you'll find a list of the major planned walkouts in this article. What doesn't change this summer? New EU visa and passport systems Originally scheduled to come into force in 2022, the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) have been repeatedly delayed due to incomplete border infrastructure. According to the latest available information, the EES passport check system could begin in October, with the ETIAS visa waiver scheme expected to be rolled out six months later. There is, however, no guarantee that the two planned changes won't be delayed again. For a full explanation of the EES and ETIAS schemes and what they mean for non-EU citizens travelling in and out of the EU, see our guide.
