The Itinerant Congress Universal Jubilee Year 2025: Tourism, Heritage and Environment to be held in June 2025 will be organized by the Government of Cantabria, through the Fundación Camino Lebaniego, the Diocese of Santander and other key institutions such as the World Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations Network, a program of the Tourism and Society Think Tank.

The International Fam & Press Trip sought to highlight the historical and spiritual value of the Camino Lebaniego as a unique experience of pilgrimage and cultural connection, bringing together national and international media, as well as experts and responsible for religious tourism in the world as Mons. José Adolfo Larregain Corrientes, coadjutor archbishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Corrientes (Argentina) and president of the commission of migrants and tourism of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, Adrian Lomello, expert in communication or representatives of countries such as Colombia, where the “Itinerant Congress Colombia 2025: Tourism and Development: Evangelization and Peace in the territories” is planned to be held in May 2025.

An immersive experience on the Lebaniego Way

The event began with a press conference on December 12 in Santander, where local authorities, including the bishop of Santander, presented the objectives and activities of the congress. On the same day, participants enjoyed a panoramic tour of the city, followed by a Mass in the Cathedral of Santander, which marked the beginning of a meaningful itinerary.

The program continued in Potes, the rural capital of the Camino Lebaniego and heart of the Liébana region. Here, attendees participated in a Mass at the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, home of the Lignum Crucis, the largest known fragment of the Cross of Christ. In addition, they were able to reflect on the work of Beato de Liébana, a fundamental figure in the religious history of Spain, in the emblematic Torre del Infantado.

Spirituality, nature and heritage

On Saturday, December 14, the participants walked along a section of the Camino Lebaniego, from the thousand-year-old chestnut grove “El Habario” to the church of Santa María de Lebeña, a jewel of pre-Romanesque art from the 10th century. In addition, they visited the Mirador de Santa Catalina, where they reflected on the connection between nature and the spiritual legacy of the Camino, aligning themselves with Pope Francis' message of sustainability in the encyclical Laudato si'.

The day concluded in Comillas, a town noted for its architectural richness, including Gaudi's Capricho and the Pontifical University, where participants explored the cultural impact of religion on local history.

Preparations for the Itinerant Congress Universal Jubilee Year 2025 - Tourism

The Itinerant Congress is just the beginning of a series of events that Cantabria will organize for the Universal Jubilee Year 2025, an event that promises to attract thousands of pilgrims and religious tourists from around the world. This Jubilee Year will be celebrated in the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, one of the five holy places of Christian pilgrimage along with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela and Caravaca de la Cruz.

During the International Fam & Press Trip, a round table moderated by Mr. Gustavo Riveiro D'Angelo, Director of the Department of Pastoral Tourism of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, discussed the potential of the Camino Lebaniego as a hub of religious tourism in Spain and Europe. This meeting reinforced the idea that tourism can be a tool to promote spirituality, sustainability and intercultural dialogue.

The participation of international journalists and tourism experts in this Fam & Press Trip underlined Cantabria's ambition to position itself as a key destination for religious tourism. This initiative seeks to promote the Camino Lebaniego as an experience that transcends borders, inviting visitors from all over the world to discover the spirituality and beauty of Cantabria.