From 12 to 14 December 2025, Italy will celebrate the Jubilee for Prisoners—a spiritual and symbolic event promoted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, together with the Department of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) and a broad network of civil and religious institutions. Among the initiatives is the “Games of Hope,” a “small prison Olympics” developed in partnership with DAP and the magistrates’ network “Sport and Legality.” The second edition will take place at the Rebibbia Women’s Prison on 12 December, bringing together inmates, prison officers, magistrates and civil society representatives in a series of sports competitions.

As Sister Alessandra Smerilli FMA, Secretary of the Dicastery, explains:
“For those living in detention, sport has a profound value: it teaches respect, discipline and teamwork; it helps people recognise their limits and discover new strengths. In prison, sport is more than physical activity — it becomes an experience of possible freedom, of relationship, of restored trust.”

Beyond the sports events, the Jubilee will include moments of prayer, conferences on the rehabilitative purpose of punishment, and cultural activities both inside and outside the prisons. The aim is to give voice to those living in detention, emphasising dignity, hope and pathways to social reintegration.

But the Jubilee cannot remain a symbolic gesture. The current state of Italian prisons — marked by overcrowding, health fragilities, suicides and insufficient medical services — highlights the urgency of turning these reflections into concrete action.

Overcrowding and Living Conditions: The 2024–2025 Snapshot

According to Antigone’s 2025 report “Senza Respiro”, as of 30 April Italian prisons held 62,445 inmates against an official capacity of 51,280. When subtracting cells temporarily unusable due to maintenance or structural issues, the real overcrowding rate reaches 133%.

Only 36 out of 189 institutions are not overcrowded. Meanwhile, 58 prisons exceed 150% capacity, with dramatic peaks such as Milan San Vittore, which reaches 220%.

By June 2025, the total prison population had risen further to 62,728, more than 1,200 inmates added in a single year.

Inspections conducted by Antigone in 86 institutions reveal that many cells do not meet the minimum requirement of 3 m² per person, and that medical services are often insufficient, frequently lacking 24-hour coverage.

Mental Health and Mortality: 2024, the Most Critical Year on Record

The year 2024 saw 91 suicides, the highest number ever recorded in Italian prisons.

In just the first five months of 2025, 33 suicides had already occurred, confirming that the critical trend has not reversed.

Overall, 2024 registered 246 deaths in prison due to suicide, illness, overdose and other non-natural causes.

These figures reflect an increasingly fragile health environment, characterised by severe psychiatric conditions, self-harm, delays in specialist care and gaps in therapeutic continuity.

Within this context, a number of new health initiatives were launched in 2025 to strengthen prevention, information and medical assistance in the penitentiary system.

Cancer Prevention in Campania Prisons: The Pascale–AIOM Project

In Campania, Italy’s first national three-year oncology prevention programme for prisons has been launched through a partnership between the IRCCS Pascale Institute, AIOM, Fondazione AIOM, the National Cancer Institute of Naples and the Regional Penitentiary Administration.

The initiative includes awareness events, training courses and research projects for both inmates and penitentiary staff.

AIOM President Francesco Perrone highlights inmates’ vulnerability:
“Over 70% of male inmates smoke regularly and half would like to quit. Forty percent are sedentary, and only 13% eat the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. It is essential to guarantee screenings such as mammography, faecal occult blood testing or HPV testing even in prison.”

Pascale General Director Maurizio di Mauro adds:
“Cancer can and must be fought in Italian prisons as well. This project is a laboratory for healthcare that reaches the most fragile populations and a model to be scaled nationally.”

Women’s Health and Infectious Diseases: The “I CARE – Virology Edition”

For World AIDS Day, Cittadinanzattiva launched the video message and guide “I CARE – Virology Edition,” the second edition of a project focused on the health of women at Rome’s Rebibbia Women’s Prison.

The programme promotes health literacy on HIV, hepatitis and HPV, training “ambassadors” among inmates to share accurate information within the prison community.

As Laura Liberto of Cittadinanzattiva explains:
“Intervening at Rebibbia, the largest women’s prison in Europe, responds to a concrete need: equipping detained women with tools to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and STIs, starting with their own health.”

The initiative includes Open Days, multilingual health materials and prevention kits, and strengthens the implementation of civic recommendations on women’s health in detention.

Screening and New Therapeutic Approaches: The Role of SIMSPe

The Italian Society of Prison Medicine and Healthcare (SIMSPe) has launched new programmes for screening and treating HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis, with notable results: the prevalence of HIV among inmates has dropped from 10% to 1% in the last 20 years.

SIMSPe Scientific Director Sergio Babudieri notes:
“Hepatitis C can be eradicated in a few weeks, while antiretroviral treatments make HIV a chronic infection with a quality of life comparable to the general population.”

Professor Giordano Madeddu warns that some infections are resurging, particularly among foreign-born inmates:
“For tuberculosis and hepatitis B, systematic screening is essential, while new long-acting HIV therapies improve adherence and reduce stigma.”

A square transformed into an open-air health clinic.
That’s what happened yesterday in Rome’s Piazza del Risorgimento, where the “Health Village” project by One Health Foundation offered an entire day of free medical check-ups as part of the 2025 Jubilee of Migrants.

Dermatology, vascular medicine, diabetology, nutrition, mammography, oncogenetic and breast consultations — and even free vaccination against Herpes Zoster: citizens and pilgrims attending the initiative were able to receive care and advice directly from the professionals provided by ASL Roma 1, including doctors, nurses, healthcare technicians and midwives. The final tally speaks for itself: over 390 medical visits performed in just one day.

The event stems from a real and pressing need. In Italy, eight out of ten migrants have never undergone a medical check-up, even though 7% of men and 10% of women are already affected by at least one chronic illness. Lifestyle data are no more encouraging: one in four smokes, 7% are obese, and 18% consume alcohol regularly.

“Yesterday’s event, open to everyone, is part of the journey we have been pursuing for over two years,” said Rossana Berardi, President of One Health Foundation. “During this time, we have already carried out more than 6,000 free medical check-ups across Italy, thanks to a series of local initiatives that have allowed us to reach and support many people. We know how complex it can be, in our country, to access healthcare services — especially preventive ones. Statistical data also show that there is still a strong underestimation of the risks linked to certain behaviors. That’s why we have set ourselves a clear goal: to promote a new culture of health that improves people’s well-being while also helping to protect our planet.
Our approach is that of One Health — an integrated vision that connects the health of humans, animals, and the environment. Spreading the culture of prevention is a strategic priority for us, especially in a country that is aging rapidly and increasingly exposed to environmental emergencies.”

The Church also expressed its support for the initiative.

“We thank One Health Foundation for the event it organized yesterday on the occasion of the Jubilee of Migrants, in favor of everyone — no one excluded,” said Monsignor Graziano Borgonovo, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization. “Access to medical care and services is not always easily available to all those who live or reside in the national territory.”

The message was echoed by the healthcare community.

“The foreign population living in Italy is relatively young, but that doesn’t mean they are less exposed to health risks,” added Giuseppe Quintavalle, General Director of ASL Roma 1. “Cultural and linguistic differences can discourage both primary and secondary prevention of serious diseases. At the same time, there are widespread unhealthy habits, such as smoking. These are people who must be encouraged to undergo regular medical check-ups. That’s why initiatives like the one by One Health Foundation for the Jubilee of Migrants are so valuable — they aim to involve more and more men and women in a virtuous process of health promotion.”

The day concluded with a press conference moderated by Mauro Boldrini, Vice President of One Health Foundation, attended by Nicla La Verde (Director of the Oncology Unit at Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan), Alessandro Delle Donne (Extraordinary Commissioner of the IRCCS Cancer Institute of Bari), and Vincenzo Caputo (Director General of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Umbria and Marche).

An initiative that brought together health, inclusion, and solidarity, bringing prevention to where it is often missing — among people, in the squares, alongside those who need it most.

"I need something that isn’t a screen, a notification, or a grade I have to nail."
Marta is 19, lives in Brescia, and is in her first year of Education Studies. When she decided to take part in the Youth Jubilee, she wasn’t thinking about a spiritual retreat or a traditional pilgrimage. She was thinking about herself.
"I always feel switched on. Between university, social media, and expectations… I can never shut my brain off. And even if everything around me seems normal, inside there’s a constant noise. I’m going to the Jubilee to stop. To find a real pause."

“Marta is describing something very common among today’s teens and young adults,” says psychologist Cristian Pagliariccio. “They live in a constant state of alert, under pressure to be visible, high-performing, always on top. That pressure comes from the merging of online and offline life, and often leaves no space for self-reflection or identity building.”

She’s not alone. From July 28 to August 3, 2025, hundreds of thousands of young people from across Italy and around the world will gather in Rome for the Youth Jubilee — a week of meetings, prayer, walks, music, and reflection, culminating in a vigil with Pope Francis on August 2 at Tor Vergata. A Church event, yes. But also a space for community, identity, and — for many — healing.

The Invisible Struggle

The World Health Organization has been saying it for years: youth mental health is in crisis. Anxiety, chronic stress, panic attacks, eating disorders, and depression affect millions of people aged 15 to 24. In Italy, the Ministry of Health estimates that 1 in 4 teenagers show clinically significant symptoms. Yet we still talk about it far too little.

Marta puts it bluntly:
"I’m not sick. But I’m tired. I can’t sleep well, I never feel like I’m enough, and I always feel like I have to be strong, brilliant, sorted. I’m not. And I wish that could be okay."

“What Marta says is crucial,” adds Pagliariccio. “We live in a society that allows us to speak, but rarely truly listens. That loneliness makes inner fatigue worse. And without the right psychological tools — like emotional education — it’s easy to feel inadequate, even when what you’re going through is completely normal.”

From Brazil to Rome: Another Voice

Thiago is 22, studying engineering in Porto Alegre, and will attend the Jubilee with Brazil’s university pastoral group.
"I went through a really hard time last year after the pandemic. I felt isolated, stuck to a screen, useless. A priest told me about this event, and I decided to go. To restart my body, my faith, my thinking."

Thiago says he’s not expecting miracles. "I’m not looking for perfect answers. I just want to be with others who are searching too. Who, like me, don’t just want to survive or 'function,' but really live."

“Thiago’s story shows how powerful it can be to step outside your usual context,” the psychologist notes. “An experience like the Jubilee can prompt new reflections on identity and allow someone to explore a version of themselves free from everyday pressures. It’s in these out-of-the-ordinary spaces that transformation can happen.”

Spirituality as Therapeutic Space

Can a religious event support mental well-being? For many, yes. The Jubilee offers a deeply human experience, far from the noise and fragmentation of daily life. Walking, silence, singing, confession, listening — simple acts, but powerful in their ability to center the self.

"At the Jubilee," Marta says, "I hope to find a space where I can look inside without shame. To breathe. Maybe even to pray with my own words, not someone else’s."

“These actions — walking, sharing, seeking silence — speak to deep, forgotten needs,” explains Pagliariccio. “In a world that keeps us constantly active, they become islands of calm. At first they may feel unsettling, but soon they become valuable refuges. The fact that everything happens in a group makes these moments emotionally contagious — in a good way.”

The Body Walks, the Mind Relaxes

Walking will be one of the Jubilee’s core experiences. Reaching the Holy Door on foot, taking part in night pilgrimages, crossing the city. Walking slows you down, clears your mind, brings you back to the present.

"Walking together, sharing the effort and joy without judgment — it brings peace inside," says Thiago. "You don’t need words. Just to be there."

“Walking,” the psychologist confirms, “also offers a physical and mental challenge. It reactivates the body, builds self-trust, and strengthens the sense of efficacy. All of that has very real effects on mood and emotional regulation.”

A Non-Clinical Medicine

The Jubilee isn’t a treatment program, but it can serve as an emotionally corrective experience — a time that breaks the routine, reignites energy, and opens new perspectives.

“It’s important to remember,” Pagliariccio emphasizes, “that the Jubilee is a spiritual event, not a structured mental health intervention. There are no formal psychological support services, which could be useful. But if experienced with awareness and good guidance, it can be transformative — as long as young people have tools to process what they’re going through.”

A Pause That Heals

For many young people, the Jubilee will be a pause. But not an escape. It will be an active choice for healing. A way of saying “yes” to oneself, even through pain.

"I’m scared of what I’ll find inside myself," says Marta. "But I’m more scared of living in constant apnea."

“The first advice I give to young people going,” Pagliariccio concludes, “is to let go of rigid expectations. Be open to surprise, don’t judge yourself, welcome what you feel. Well-being often starts with acceptance, not effort.”

And to those who are struggling but afraid to ask for help?
“What you’re feeling has a name. You are not broken. You’re not overreacting. You’re going through something hard, and that deserves respect and care. Strength is recognizing the need — and taking even a small step to share it. In that step, a new beginning can already be taking shape.”

In a world that rushes and consumes, the Jubilee invites us to walk and to listen. And every step, every word, every breath can become a small act of healing.
🕊️ Youth Jubilee – Rome 2025. The journey starts within.

When music doesn’t just fill a stage, but becomes a voice for rebirth, courage, and freedom, it stops being mere entertainment and becomes a testimony. That’s exactly what happens with The Sun, an Italian rock band with a punk heart and a deeply Christian soul, who are set to perform on August 2nd at the Jubilee for Young People. On that occasion, they’ll sing for thousands of young people on a meaningful journey leading up to the encounter with Pope Leo XIV.

With their music, The Sun don’t follow trends — they speak directly to the heart: of light, tough choices, and tangible spirituality. In this exclusive interview, frontman Francesco Lorenzi shares what it means to perform in such a context, why faith is also a form of inner health, and how real courage today can become a form of freedom.

For The Sun, this isn’t just another date. “Taking the stage at the Jubilee for Young People will be particularly meaningful for us,” says Lorenzi. “After participating musically in several World Youth Days — from Rio to Krakow, Panama to Lisbon — this will be our first time experiencing something similar in our beloved Italy. It’s about placing ourselves at the service of something greater: preparing the way for the Pope’s arrival with our songs and giving voice to true youthful joy.”

Healing and Uniting Through Music

The music of The Sun always carries a clear message: don’t give up, seek the light even in hardship, and above all, rediscover the beauty of faith as a life-giving force and a source of healing. Many of their songs speak of redemption, truth, and daily rebirth. “We want our songs to be messages of hope and courage,” explains Lorenzi. “An invitation to get back up, to be reborn every day — where each morning is a blank page of a new journey.”

This vision is closely tied to what the band calls inner health: “For us, it’s a state of harmony between who we’re called to be and our actual lives, made of choices, relationships, desires, and dreams. It’s a dynamic, luminous coherence that can even lead to healing the heart. Music helps bring to the surface what we often keep hidden — and in the light of God’s love, it can become a tool for true freedom.”

Their concerts often turn this process into a shared experience. “Singing alone is powerful, but singing together is even stronger,” says Lorenzi. “It’s a remedy for loneliness. Music becomes a space to rediscover your inner light and turn words into acts of kindness.”

A Mission Born on the Stage in Bethlehem

The Sun’s music stands apart from what tops the charts — and that’s no accident. “Even back in the Sun Eats Hours days, we were looking for real grit, not prefab choruses,” Lorenzi says. “But it was through our journey of conversion that we realized music had to be a way to draw near to others.” Their biggest turning point came in the Holy Land in 2011, when they played in front of the wall in Bethlehem: “There we understood that our art had to become a tool for peace and truth. That’s when music became a true missionary calling.”

This vision grew stronger through the many solidarity projects the band has supported over the years. “I write songs that go beyond clichés because I myself live beyond clichés,” says Lorenzi. “Christ frees the heart, and that freedom is reflected in everyday choices. It’s my job to stir questions, build bridges, and offer concrete tools for personal growth. Music really can make a difference in someone’s path.”

Courage and Freedom: Words for and from the Youth

In a time marked by disillusionment and confusion, The Sun speak to young people with a bold yet grounded proposal: make radical choices and rediscover courage. But the courage for what? “The single ‘Coraggio’ was inspired by Saint Augustine’s call to discover and choose the truth that lives within us — the one God has already written in our hearts. Freedom, then, means breaking free from your inner chains. After years of hiding behind masks in the first part of our professional journey, we chose to give up all pretense, and discovered that true freedom is living without chains and telling your story with honesty. Courage, in turn, is the real antidote to cynicism — but it requires persistence and going against the current. In a world that often trivializes everything, making radical choices — for justice, service, and love — is an act of real and healthy rebellion. Our rock becomes a cry of hope against indifference.”

For The Sun, being free young people doesn’t mean chasing trends or labels. “Authentic freedom is found when you turn your passion into a mission,” says Lorenzi. “We gave up the masks and discovered that real freedom is telling your story with honesty.”

Loving Yourself and Letting Yourself Be Loved by God

With life on the road, concerts, and constant contact with the public — how do you take care of your physical and mental balance amid it all? “We’ve been playing together for almost 30 years and surpassed 1,000 concerts in 20 countries across 4 continents. It took time and experience to understand how to take care of our balance,” says Lorenzi, adding: “The recipe involves many ingredients. Some of the most important are: maintaining inner and outer order, living authentically with ourselves and others, daily personal and communal prayer, the Sacraments, reading the Word of God, Eucharistic adoration, healthy and mindful eating, physical activity, and above all: loving ourselves, letting God love us, and living with gratitude.”

A Message for Those Walking Under the Sun

To the pilgrims attending the Jubilee, perhaps tired and hot, Lorenzi offers a message with the flavor of truth and vocation: “Inside each of us is a unique and unrepeatable score that only we can play — with God. If we let Him help us discover it, we’ll find fulfillment and bear fruit for the whole human community.”

On August 2, on the stage of the Jubilee for Young People, The Sun will bring their music, their faith, and a clear message: true freedom isn’t the absence of rules, but the courage to choose what is good. Even when it costs. Especially when it costs.

In an age of constant connection yet growing loneliness, where we are always reachable but rarely truly heard, the Jubilee of Youth — taking place from July 28 to August 3 — may offer a unique experience. As explained by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World, and the Vatican's head for the Jubilee, this is “the most eagerly awaited” event of the Holy Year, “because it’s the one with the highest participation.” Pilgrims are coming from 146 countries, 68% from Europe, with the rest from across all continents. A special mention goes to young people arriving from war-torn areas — Lebanon, Iraq, Myanmar, Ukraine, Israel, Syria, and South Sudan — creating an ideal “embrace” among the new generations of the world.

This event offers not only a moment of spirituality and encounter but also a mental break and inner regeneration — something especially valuable in a time when young people are facing increasing psychological distress. We discussed this with Cristian Pagliariccio, a psychologist specializing in adolescence and young adulthood, and member of the Lazio Order of Psychologists. He helped us explore the roots of this widespread fragility and the possible transformative value of a collective pilgrimage like the Jubilee.

The Silent Fragility of Youth: Too Much Pressure, Too Few Emotional Skills
“There are many causes of youth distress. To keep it simple, we can highlight two interrelated ones: the increase in social pressure and demand for attention, and the underdevelopment of psychological skills.” According to the psychologist, the merging of online and offline worlds has created an extreme competition to be seen, heard, and noticed.
“Every day, people are constantly pushed to pay attention to the most powerful — even unwanted — messages and must elbow their way into being heard and seen. There is an overexaggeration of competition for attention. Everyone is given the right to speak, but not the right to be heard.”
In this confusion, discovering and cultivating one's own values — essential for developing a solid identity — becomes more and more difficult. Focus becomes fragmented, and reflection grows shallow.

The Lack of Emotional Education
“All this compromises the ability to concentrate and deeply reflect — key elements for personal and social wellbeing,” adds the psychologist. Alongside external pressure, there’s also a structural deficiency in emotional education:
“Emotional and relational education practices in Italy are still stuck in the post-WWII era. Without adequate psychological tools, both young people and adults struggle to navigate an overwhelming flow of contradictory information.”
The result? Mental space for “constructive boredom” — essential for creativity and self-regulation — shrinks. Affective relationships become distorted, and emotional investment even shifts toward artificial intelligence.
“Some people fall in love with these products, assigning them the role of confidants, deep connections, lovers, or even deities,” Pagliariccio notes. It’s a growing gap between the challenges faced and the tools available. “This is a real emergency that requires targeted interventions — even for adults, who are not doing much better than the young.”

The Jubilee as a Transformative Opportunity (If We Have the Tools to Experience It)
But in all this, can an experience like the Jubilee of Youth support mental health?
“The Jubilee is an extraordinary spiritual experience. As such, it has the potential to act as a catalyst for personal growth and positive change.”
According to the psychologist, simply stepping out of one's usual environment can trigger authentic reflections on identity, free from external expectations.
“Adolescents and young adults can explore new versions of themselves. The pilgrimage itself is a physical and mental challenge, which strengthens self-efficacy and confidence. And the shared experience helps revive values such as connection, mutual support, and meaningful dialogue.”
However, he warns: “The Jubilee is not designed as a mental wellness program. It doesn’t, for instance, offer psychological support for those experiencing emotional distress. Just as we now plan for medical support during such events, we should also consider mental health services.”
And he adds: “For the experience to be truly beneficial, young people need the tools to process it. Not everyone can spontaneously turn such a journey into growth. Some may feel overwhelmed; others might remain on the surface.”

Walking, Praying, Sharing: The Simple Gestures That Heal
In a world that keeps us constantly on alert, even walking can become a revolutionary psychological act.
“These simple gestures contribute to mental wellbeing because they address deep human needs that modern life often ignores. Young people are frequently in ‘emergency mode,’ which over time wears down the mind.”
These “calm oases” help rebalance the nervous system, even if they feel uncomfortable at first. “Over time, they can become precious refuges that help restore energy and clarity.”
Experienced in a group, they become moments of positive emotional contagion.
“Seeing other young people find peace in these spaces can inspire others to believe it’s possible — and achievable.” And no digital tools are needed:
“You don’t need an app, a subscription, or equipment. Just yourself — and if you think about sharing, the willingness to remain open to others,” the psychologist adds.
Even for those who don’t identify with a religious path, prayer can still offer value: “It can become a moment of gratitude, reflection on values, or connection with something greater. It can help clarify what gives meaning to one’s life.”

Tips for Participants (and Words for Those Who Are Struggling)
Finally, the psychologist shares some advice for experiencing the Jubilee to the fullest:
“The first tip is to let go of rigid expectations. Arriving with too many expectations can create pressure that blocks the experience from unfolding naturally.”
And: “Don’t judge yourself. If you feel confused or don’t experience what you expected — that’s okay. Wellbeing often begins with acceptance, not force.”
The second tip: be present. “Keep your phone in your pocket. Look people in the eye. Sing, if you feel like it. Presence can turn any moment into something meaningful.”
And for those who are struggling but afraid to ask for help?
“What you’re feeling has a name. You’re not overreacting, and you’re not broken. You’re going through a hard time — and that deserves respect and care.”
“True strength lies in being honest with yourself. You don’t have to tell everyone everything. Start small. Holding it all inside doesn’t make the pain disappear — it amplifies it. And you might discover others are just as fragile. You can start again — together. Even with professional help.”