Christine Rocher, The Romans (PEOPLE 2025)

Witnessing Italy’s Republic Day on a rainy June 2nd was a spectacle of resilience and patriotism. Despite the drizzle, crowds gathered along Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome and the military lined the streets in immaculate formation, their uniforms crisp despite the damp air, standing at attention as the grand parade unfolded. The rain did little to dampen the spirit of the celebration—if anything, it added a poetic touch to the solemnity and pride of the occasion.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.