Maison Dior x Vatican- ‘En Route’ Exhibition Unveils the Pilgrims of Hope Narrative

Pilgrims of Hope 2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church. To celebrate this important event, an unexpected collaboration was forged between Maison Dior and the Vatican Apostolic Library to bring to life the En Route exhibition. Here, fashion and faith come together to reflect on the theme of travel, whose common thread begins with the human instinct to explore.

The show, supported by Maison Dior– because, of course, fashion belongs in this conversation- Intesa Sanpaolo, Sparkle, and the ANAWIM Foundation dives into the theme of Pilgrims of Hope as part of the 2025 Jubilee. And if that isn’t already enough to tempt you into a Roman holiday, let’s talk about the treasures within.

The Unexpected Discovery That Started It All

At the core of the En Route exhibition lies the Poma.Periodici collection, an archival goldmine unearthed from the estate of diplomat Cesare Poma (1862–1932). Imagine stumbling upon 1,200 newspapers from the farthest corners of the world, each one a snapshot of a moment in time. But the real showstopper? En Route, a travel magazine published by two French journalists, Lucien Leroy and Henri Papillaud, who set out on an ambitious global adventure in 1895—funding their journey through storytelling.

Their tales, printed in the pages of En Route, captured the essence of exploration at a time when the world felt vast and mysterious. But this exhibition doesn’t just celebrate their work—it also highlights the women of the Victorian era who defied conventions, embarking on their own solo journeys. Whether in journalism, archaeology, activism, or politics, these fearless women proved that adventure was never just for the boys.

Maison Dior & the Artists Who Reimagine the Journey

In a move that elevates this exhibition from historical deep dive to full-fledged cultural event, the Vatican has enlisted three contemporary creatives to bring these journeys to life:

Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini: The Soundtrack of a Nomad

Singer-songwriter and modern-day globetrotter Lorenzo Jovanotti Cherubini welcomes visitors into his personal world of travel and music. His installation is a treasure trove of journals, drawings, and even a bespoke soundtrack that sets the tone for this exhibition’s deeply introspective journey.

Reflecting on his time in Havana, he muses:

“I seemed to suddenly stumble upon protrusions in the ground and realize that they were my roots, that they had transplanted themselves.”

His words remind us that sometimes, travel isn’t about discovering new places—it’s about rediscovering ourselves.

Kristjana S Williams: Mapping the Dreamscape

Icelandic illustrator Kristjana S Williams takes on the task of reimagining the voyages of Poma and the En Route journalists through her signature symbolic, dreamlike style. Given full access to the Vatican Library archives, she blends history with artistic imagination, proving that maps aren’t just tools for navigation—they are visual stories of human curiosity.

She describes the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, saying:

“The historical documents offer a fascinating insight into the way humans have experienced and viewed the world over many generations.”

Maria Grazia Chiuri: The Power of Fashion & Movement

Fashion, movement, and storytelling—three things that have always been entwined. Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Women’s Collections at Dior, brings this concept to life with a site-specific installation crafted alongside Karishma Swali and the artisans of the Chanakya School of Craft.

Her work focuses on six female travelers of the 19th century, exploring how clothing wasn’t just a marker of style but a tool for freedom. Through maps and sewing patterns, her piece weaves a narrative about how fashion empowers movement—both physically and metaphorically.

Chiuri reflects:

“Knowledge and creativity are completely intertwined.”

And let’s be real: there’s no better brand than Dior to turn travel into a statement.

A Grand Finale: Art Meets Cartography

The En Route exhibition, curated by Don Giacomo Cardinali, Simona De Crescenzo, Francesca Giannetto, and Delio V. Proverbio, culminates in the Sistine Hall, where visitors encounter Mappa (1984) by Alighiero Boetti—a masterpiece of modern cartography on loan from Intesa Sanpaolo’s Gallerie d’Italia in Naples.

But En Route isn’t just about looking back. Thanks to Maison Dior and the Galateri di Genola e di Suniglia family, the Poma.Periodici collection will be digitized and made accessible to the public, ensuring that these stories continue to inspire the travelers of tomorrow.

“With En Route, we go further,” says curator Don Giacomo Cardinali. “We open the conversation to creatives from even more distant and unconventional fields.”

And that’s exactly what makes this exhibition so compelling. It’s a reminder that travel isn’t just about the places we visit—it’s about the stories we collect along the way.

When & Where to Experience En Route Exhibition

Vatican Apostolic Library, Vatican City
February 15 – December 20, 2025
Tickets available at Ticket.it

This exhibition is an invitation—to wander, to wonder, and to remember that every journey leaves a mark. Are you ready to explore?