June 29, 2025 is no ordinary Sunday in the capital, which is living through the most intense months of the Jubilee calendar. On this day, Rome pauses to honor its patrons, the Saints Peter and Paul, figures who have left an imprint on Christian history and the identity of the Eternal City. This year, the celebration takes on an even more special flavor, weaving together spirituality, centuries-old traditions, and a calendar packed with events for everyone.
The Basilica of Saint Peter and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls become the heart of the celebrations, but the entire city buzzes with rites and traditions that tell a story of universal faith. Between liturgical celebrations, fireworks displays, and cultural initiatives, Rome transforms into a stage of faith and beauty. Here is a comprehensive guide on what to do and how to get around to fully enjoy the festival that officially opens the Roman summer. But first, let’s discover the origin of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 itself.
A millennial festival: Peter and Paul, Rome’s pillars
Saint Peter – a Galilean fisherman chosen by Jesus as the first Pope – and Saint Paul – the Apostle to the Gentiles – are the patrons of Rome. Their feast, on June 29, replaces ancient pagan celebrations, such as those for Romulus and Remus, and represents a moment of unity for Romans and pilgrims. Every June 29, the capital celebrates the two saints who, though different in origin, faced the same fate, namely martyrdom under Nero – Peter was crucified head downward in 64 C.E. while Paul was beheaded at the Tre Fontane in 67.
Defined as “columns of the Church” by Pope Leo the Great in the 5th century, Saint Peter and Saint Paul spread the Gospel in Rome, effectively giving rise to a new era in its history. From here, the symbolic choice of the date to replace the ancient festival of Quirinus for Romulus and Remus, symbolizing the transition from paganism to Christianity. Celebrated, according to testimonies and documents preserved, since 258 C.E., the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul still unites rites and traditions whose roots run deep in time.
And the celebrations begin already on the evening of the 28th, when the statue of Saint Peter in the Vatican is adorned with a red mantle, a tiara, and a ring, while at vespers the pallia are blessed, symbols of ecclesial unity. On the 29th, one can witness the solemn Procession of the Chains, which at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls displays the Chain of Saint Paul, a relic of 14 links. Meanwhile, the dome of Saint Peter lights up with torches and Castel Sant’Angelo bursts with fireworks.
The main events of June 29, 2025
Faith, culture, and tradition form the backbone of the offerings in the calendar for Rome’s June 29 celebration. From morning to night, let’s discover what the city has in store for its patron saints.
Solemn Mass at the Pantheon
Following the vigil of prayer in Saint Peter’s on the evening of June 28, the day can begin with the solemn Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres (the Pantheon), a celebration accompanied by the choirs of the Basilica and Salvo D’Acquisto. Described by Stendhal as “the most beautiful remnant of ancient Rome,” the Pantheon creates a unique atmosphere for this ceremony, open to the faithful and visitors alike. The recommendation is to arrive early to secure a seat and to admire the oculus that illuminates the ancient temple.
Historic Infiorata
A burst of colors lights up Piazza Pio XII and Via della Conciliazione with the Historic Infiorata, organized by the Pro Loco of Rome Capitale. Every June 29, the heart of Rome becomes a fragrant open-air museum with a petal mosaic paying homage to the patrons Peter and Paul, born from a tradition that began in 1625 in the Vatican Basilica on the occasion of Corpus Domini. The inventor of the Infiorata was a florist, Benedetto Drei, during the papacy of Pope Urban VIII.
After his death, Gian Lorenzo Bernini made it a symbol of Baroque celebrations, spreading it to the Castelli Romani and beyond. Suppressed for centuries, today it is revived thanks precisely to the Pro Loco and the florists who, with mastery, create complex mosaics using only natural materials. Powdered marble or jute, as well as sand, salt, bark, and volcanic ash form the base for roses, carnations, and daisies. The designs, different each year, depict Madonnas, biblical scenes, or symbols of hope, in a dialogue between nature and spirituality.
The sacred works cover 600 m², celebrating the Pope and the patrons, with preparations starting already on the evening of the 28th, offering the chance to watch the artists at work. Once completed, these creations are a true visual spectacle, perfect for a stroll toward Saint Peter’s under the summer sky of the Eternal City.
Quo Vadis, the pilgrim’s walk
For those who love walking and experiencing the city at a calmer pace, with moments for meditation and prayer, there is the Quo Vadis walk, promoted by the Vicariates of Rome and the Vatican with Rome Capitale. Two routes are offered, with different lengths: The Way of Peter (starting point at the Basilica of Santa Pudenziana, about 1 hour and 37 minutes for 7.1 km) and The Way of Paul (starting from the Basilica of San Sebastiano, the itinerary covers about 13.6 km for a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes). Both paths pass through places connected to the two apostles, such as San Sebastiano fuori le mura, Santa Prisca, and the Mamertine Prison.
In both cases, the finish is set in St. Peter’s Square, facing the obelisk where Saint Peter was crucified. Here, each participant will receive the ‘pet stone’ blessed by the Pope. As the official site explains, participation is free and open to all, not a structured tour with fixed itineraries. Do mind the roads suggested: they are open to traffic, so the routes are not protected.
Castel Sant’Angelo Girandola
And on the evening of June 29, one of the most moving traditions unfolds. At 8:30 p.m., the sky above Castel Sant’Angelo lights up with the Girandola, a fireworks show dating back to Pope Sixtus IV in 1481, attributed to Michelangelo himself. Interrupted in the 19th century due to damage to the fortress, since 2008 the event has returned thanks to the philological reconstruction by Giuseppe Passeri and the Gruppo IX Invicta, curated by the Directorate of State Museums of Rome.
The fireworks, visible from Lungotevere Tor di Nona and the bridges Vittorio Emanuele II, Sant’Angelo, and Umberto I, are a moment of celebration for Romans and tourists, with the start planned for 9:30 p.m. (lasting about 20 minutes). Note that from 7:30 p.m. the Lungotevere will be closed to traffic, and those wishing to avoid the crowds can head to Gianicolo for a panoramic view.
Traffic and transport: how to move around on June 29
The patronal feast brings significant changes to roadways and public transport, as reported by Roma Mobilità and ATAC. Here’s what to know to move about without a hitch.
Road closures
Via Veneto: a possible closure between Largo Fellini and Via Boncompagni in the early morning (until 7) for dismantling structures related to an event scheduled for Saturday, June 28.
Via Ostiense: closed to traffic from 11:00 on June 28 with a queue extending to Monday 30, between Viale Giustiniano Imperatore and Via Giulio Rocco, for celebrations at Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
Castel Sant’Angelo / Lungotevere: traffic ban from 7:30 p.m. on June 29, closed between Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II and Ponte Umberto I for the Girandola. Traffic is diverted along the Vittorio Emanuele II avenue on the left bank and along Porta Castello/Traspontina routes (source: Roma Mobilità). Additional closures may occur based on traffic needs.
Via dei Fori Imperiali: pedestrian on June 28 and 29, as every last weekend of the month – Pedestrian Zone
Piazza dei Cinquecento: no transit on the carriageway adjacent to Termini Station (from Via Gioberti to Via Cavour) due to urban redevelopment works.
Circo Massimo: area closed to vehicular traffic for the Achille Lauro concert. Specifically, from 5:00 p.m. on June 29, transit ban on Via dei Cerchi between Porta Capena and Via di S. Teodoro. From 8:00 p.m. (except authorized) on Via del Circo Massimo, Piazzale Ugo La Malfa, Via dell’Ara Massima di Ercole. From 9:00 p.m. (except authorized) also on Via della Greca, Via delle Terme Deciane, and Via dell’Ara di Conso. From 9:00 p.m. suspension of the bus lane on Via di Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
Via delle Baleniere: closure to traffic for an event with a diversion of lines 04, C4 and C13.
Public transport
On June 29, public transport operates on a holiday schedule. The metro lines A, B, B1 and C run until 11:30 p.m., with night buses substituting after closing. ATAC notes that to accommodate the Historic Reenactment of Michelangelo’s Girandola at Castel Sant’Angelo, from 7:30 p.m. to end of service we divert lines 23, 30, 34, 40, 46, 62, 64, 98, 115, 280, 870, 881 and 916F. The line 190F is limited to the San Pietro station and does not reach Piazza Venezia.
Additionally, due to the pedestrianization of Via dei Fori Imperiali for the entire weekend, lines 51, 75, 85, 87 and 118 are diverted.
