The 2025 Giro d’Italia will pay homage to the late Pope Francis with a historic start to its final stage, as riders pass through Vatican City for the first time in the race’s history.
This unprecedented gesture comes as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations and serves as a tribute to the pontiff, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88.
Giro d’Italia’s final stage inside the Vatican
On June 1, the final stage of the Giro will commence with a neutralised start inside the Vatican. Cyclists will enter through the Petriano Gate, ride past St. Peter’s Basilica, traverse the Vatican Gardens, and exit via the Perugino Gate near the Santa Marta residence, where Pope Francis lived.
This three-kilometre procession through areas rarely seen by the public will be broadcast globally.
Giro director Mauro Vegni revealed that the original plan was for Pope Francis to bless the riders at the start of the final stage. “We wanted to go right up to Casa Santa Marta because we knew the pope was ageing, so we thought he could come down and offer a blessing to start the final stage,” Vegni said. “Then unfortunately things turned out differently. But it will remain an homage to Francis.”
Honouring the Pope’s legacy
Pope Francis, known for his passion for sports and their unifying power, had strongly supported the inclusion of the Vatican in the Giro during the Jubilee Year. Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, emphasised the significance of this event: “This passage through the Vatican will feel like a small tour of the world. Another reason for this symbolic passage is to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope.”
The Vatican has increasingly embraced sports as a means of fostering unity and inclusion, with Pope Francis often highlighting their importance in promoting solidarity, especially among youth.
The final stage route
After exiting the Vatican, the official race will start at the Baths of Caracalla. The 143-kilometre stage includes an out-and-back route to the coastal district of Ostia, followed by eight laps of a 9.5-kilometre circuit through central Rome. The race will conclude near the Colosseum, offering a picturesque and historic backdrop for the finale.
This marks the third consecutive year the Giro concludes in Rome and only the seventh time in its 108 editions.
What is the Giro d’Italia?
The Giro d’Italia, alongside the Tour de France, is one of cycling's prestigious Grand Tours. The 2025 edition spans approximately 3,443 kilometres over 21 stages, starting on May 9 in Albania and concluding on June 1 in Rome. The race challenges riders with a mix of flat sprints, mountain climbs, and time trials, traversing Italy's diverse terrains.
Established in 1909, the Giro celebrates its 108th edition in 2025, having been paused during the World Wars.
Giro d’Italia prize money
The total prize fund for the Giro is around €1.6 million (A$2.8 million), distributed across classifications and achievements throughout the race.
Here’s how the prize fund distributes for the racers arriving in the first 20:
1st place - €115,668 (A$202,665)
2nd place - €58,412 (A$102,345)
3rd place - €28,801 (A$50,463)
4th place - €14,516 (A$25,433)
5th place - €11,654 (A$20,417)
6th and 7th - €8,558 (A$14,993)
8th and 9th - €5,725 (A$10,030)
10th to 20th - €2,863 (A$5,016)
In professional cycling, it's customary for prize money to be shared among team members, acknowledging the collective effort required to achieve podium finishes.