Election of new pope boosts Rome’s tourism

Souvenir shops lining the streets leading to St. Peter’s Square are already selling icons, postcards, calendars and fridge magnets decorated with the new pope’s face, the latter for three euros each.

Demand is huge, said Alfredo Chiarelli, who has been elected for the fifth time and is the only person allowed to sell sacred objects at the entrance to St. Peter’s Square with a Vatican permit. In the shop selling official promotional items for the 2025 jubilee year, the Habemus Papam T-shirt is the most popular item. The Jubilee mug is no longer selling as well.

Vendors emphasize that for now, only the XIV. Leo’s portrait can be used, as the Papal States have not yet granted permission to use the papal signature and coat of arms. The Financial Inspectorate is constantly checking the offerings of shops, confiscating illegal goods.

According to the Assoturismo association, the number of visitors to Rome jumped by seven percent between May 7 and 14, which includes the conclave and the election of the pope. Since the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, almost one million visitors have been registered, with 2.4 million guest nights. Revenue is estimated at 576 million euros, of which the faithful and tourists spent 57.6 million on meals, more than 43 million on gifts and more than 28 million on transport.

Giuseppe Roscioli, president of the Federalberghi hotel association, stressed that the papal election had boosted the lower-than-expected number of guests during the jubilee holy year. Roscioli added that they hope the American pope will also boost tourism from the United States.