Visitors to the Colosseum can now enjoy even more of the ancient amphitheater and the spectacular views it offers of Rome.
Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public for guided tours starting Nov. 1. Included in the visit is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists.
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Culture Minister Dario Franceschini looks out from the topmost level, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Journalists looks out from topmost level of the ancient Colosseum on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of the ancient Colosseum as seen from the topmost level, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of the ancient Roman Forum as seen from the topmost level of the ancient Colosseum, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum as seen from the topmost floor on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum as seen from a window on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Culture Minister Dario Franceschini looks out from the topmost level, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to visit the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheap seats, since they were farthest away from the spectacle.
Today, however, the top two levels of the 52-meter (171-foot) high Colosseum offer priceless views of the stadium itself, as well as the nearby Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the rest of Rome.
Journalists looks out from topmost level of the ancient Colosseum on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of the ancient Colosseum as seen from the topmost level, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of the ancient Roman Forum as seen from the topmost level of the ancient Colosseum, on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum as seen from the topmost floor on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum as seen from a window on the occasion of a media tour presenting the re-opening after forty years of the fourth and fifth level of the Italy's most famous site, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Italian Culture Minister Dario Francheschini was on hand Tuesday to tour the new levels, which during ancient Roman times were the cheapest seats, reserved for the plebes because they were farther away from the spectacle and exposed to Rome's harsh sun. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tourists are seen visiting the ancient Colosseum, in Rome, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Officials on Tuesday showed off the newly restored fourth and fifth levels of the Colosseum, which are opening to the public starting Nov. 1. Included in the tour is a connecting hallway that has never before been open to tourists. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Friday called on the diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into the debate about rising rental prices that has only grown more acute with Holy Year celebrations in 2025.
Francis has written to the city's church leaders and religious order priests for any available church properties to be used for the homeless or residents facing possible eviction because of rising rents.
The letter reflected something of the paradox facing the Vatican: Francis’ yearlong jubilee is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome to celebrate the Holy Year. That has had the predictable effect of driving up demand for short-term apartment rentals, particularly near the Vatican.
That demand, in turn, has only accelerated the trend of local residents moving out or being priced out as owners turn their properties over to short-term property agents, such as Airbnb and other platforms that cater to tourists. It's a trend that is happening in other Italian cities, including Florence and Venice, and across Europe, leading to protests by local residents.
In his letter, Francis noted that Rome’s Catholic institutions were preparing to provide shelter to millions of pilgrims for the jubilee. But he asked them to also “make a courageous gesture of love” to Romans by offering up any unused housing or apartments.
“I want all diocesan realities that own real estate to offer their contribution to stem the housing emergency with signs of charity and solidarity to generate hope in the thousands of people in the city of Rome who are in a condition of precarious housing,” Francis wrote.
The Catholic Church is a major property owner in Rome, with a portfolio including commercial and residential real estate as well as church-owned convents and monasteries.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
FILE - Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)