Perugia – With the conclusion of the Jubilee of Hope, Umbria closes a remarkable chapter that has once again placed the region at the heart of global pilgrimage, confirming its position as Italy’s second most important destination after Rome. While official figures will be released later this month, preliminary estimates indicate that by 31 December Umbria had welcomed around eight million visitors. This strong performance is also reflected in the record results posted by the “San Francesco d’Assisi” International Airport, which handled 620,420 passengers in 2025. The figure marks a 16 per cent increase over the previous record set just one year earlier, when passenger traffic stood at 534,210 - well above the national airport growth average of around six per cent compared to 2024. Regional President Stefania Proietti highlighted the institutional effort behind these results. “From the very beginning of our mandate, the Region worked to create the best possible conditions to welcome pilgrims,” she said, noting that more than three million euros were secured and invested in strengthening regional public transport, hospitality services, healthcare support, civil protection and local security. According to Proietti, the Jubilee has also helped consolidate a cooperative governance model that now looks ahead to 2026, when Umbria will host celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The commemorations will officially begin with a solemn ceremony on Saturday, 10 January, at the Papal Basilica of the Porziuncola in Assisi. “For this extraordinary historical event as well, Umbria is ready to play its role as a spiritual, cultural and civic focal point,” she added.