The Pope is asking the Church of Rome to help solve the housing crisis ahead of the 2025 Holy Year

ROME – Pope Francis on Friday called on the Diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into a debate over rising rents that has only intensified with the celebration of the Holy Year in 2025.

Francis wrote to the city’s church leaders and priests of a religious order that any available church property be used for the homeless or residents facing possible eviction due to rising rents.

The letter reflects the paradox facing the Vatican: Francis’ annual jubilee is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year. This had the predictable effect of increasing demand for short-term apartment rentals, especially near the Vatican.

That demand, in turn, has only accelerated the trend of locals moving out or prices dropping as owners sell their properties to short-term real estate agents like Airbnb and other platforms that cater to tourists. This is a trend observed in other Italian cities, including Florence and Venice, as well as throughout Europe, which led to protests by local residents.

In his letter, Francis noted that the Catholic institutions of Rome are preparing to provide shelter to millions of pilgrims for the jubilee. But he asked them to also “make a bold gesture of love” to the Romans by offering any unused housing or apartments.

“I want all diocesan realities that own real estate to offer their contribution to overcoming the housing crisis with signs of mercy and solidarity, to give hope to the thousands of people in the city of Rome who are in unstable housing,” Francis wrote. .

The Catholic Church is the main real estate owner in Rome, with a portfolio that includes commercial and residential real estate, as well as ecclesiastical monasteries and convents.

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