The final stage of the 2025 Giro d'Italia, passing between Rome and Ostia on June 1, went through Vatican City. Before riding through the gardens, the cyclists stopped in the courtyard of the Roman Protomartyrs and were greeted by Pope Leo XIV.
Speaking briefly in Italian and English, the Pope took a moment to emphasize both the mission of the athletes, and the Church's welcome of them.
In Italian, he said:
It is a pleasure to greet you at this final stage of the Giro d'Italia. I hope that it is a truly wonderful day for all of you. Please know that you are role models for young people all over the world. The Giro d'Italia is truly loved, and not only in Italy. Cycling is very important, as is sport in general. Thank you for everything you do, and be true role models! I hope that, just as you have learned to take care of your bodies, your spirits will always be blessed and that you will always be attentive to the whole human being: body, mind, heart, and spirit. May God bless you!
Then in English, he added:
May God bless all of you on this last part of the Giro d’Italia. Congratulations to all of you and may you know that you are always welcome here in the Vatican, you are always welcomed by the Church, which represents God’s love for all people.
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come upon all of you and remain with you forever.
Congratulations!
A tribute for Pope Francis
Before speaking, Leon XIV was symbolically presented with a pink jersey and greeted the wearers of the four distinctive jerseys: Simon Yates (pink jersey, overall leader), Mads Pedersen (cyclamen jersey, points classification), Lorenzo Fortunato (blue jersey, best climber) and Isaac Del Toro (white jersey, best young rider). He also had a brief chat with Colombian rider Nairo Quintana, who won the race in 2014.
Entering through the Porta del Sant'Uffizio, the riders then passed through the Vatican Gardens before exiting through the Porta del Perugino and returning to Italian territory for the actual start of the final stage.
This Vatican loop, approximately 3.5 kilometers long, saw the cyclists pass in front of the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, which was Benedict XVI's residence during his retirement, and in front of the Santa Marta house, where Pope Francis lived during his 12-year pontificate.
Initially planned with Francis' support, this passage of the Giro through the Vatican was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the Argentine pontiff, who died April 21.
This was the first time in the history of the Giro that the race has passed through the Vatican Gardens as such, but it was not the first time that the Tour of Italy passed through papal territory.
In 1946, the cyclists made a ceremonial start from the Courtyard of Saint Damaso in the Vatican after being blessed by Pope Pius XII.
Pope Paul VI also welcomed the finish in 1950 in front of the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, and also gave a ceremonial start from the Courtyard of Saint Damaso in 1974.
