On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year by opening the “Holy Door” of St. Peter’s Basilica, signaling the start of a year-long celebration expected to draw over 30 million Catholic pilgrims to Rome.
Despite battling a cold, the 88-year-old pontiff was wheeled to the towering bronze door, where he knocked ceremonially before it opened to welcome him and a procession of clergy. Thousands of faithful watched on screens in St. Peter’s Square as the bells of the Vatican basilica rang out.
The Jubilee tradition, held every 25 years, offers Catholic pilgrims passing through the Holy Door a “plenary indulgence,” granting forgiveness for sins. Pope Francis highlighted the event’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” in his homily, turning attention to global conflicts.
“We think of wars, of machine-gunned children, of bombs on schools and hospitals,” he said, urging compassion for victims of violence.
### Security and Preparations
Rome has undergone extensive preparations for the Jubilee, including tightened security measures following recent terror concerns in Europe. Some 700 security personnel are stationed around the city and the Vatican, with newly renovated landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and Ponte Sant’Angelo welcoming visitors.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, inaugurating a key road tunnel near the Vatican, lauded the rapid completion of infrastructure improvements as a “civil miracle.”
### Expanded Jubilee Activities
The Jubilee, featuring a packed schedule of religious and cultural events, extends to the opening of Holy Doors in Rome’s major basilicas and Catholic churches worldwide. On Thursday, Pope Francis will continue the tradition by opening a Holy Door at Rebibbia prison in Rome and celebrating mass for inmates.
In addition to spiritual renewal, the pope emphasized the event’s call for justice and environmental stewardship, highlighting issues such as “profiteering” and “unfair debts” burdening poorer nations.
### Broader Engagement
This Jubilee introduces modernized elements, including online registration and multilingual apps for pilgrims. A mascot named “Luce” (Latin for Light), inspired by Japanese anime, adds a contemporary touch to the event.
Groups from diverse backgrounds, including migrants and LGBTQ organizations, have registered for the celebrations, reflecting Pope Francis’s commitment to inclusivity.
Jubilee 2025 is expected to serve as a spiritual, cultural, and social milestone, reinforcing the Church’s message of hope and renewal for its 1.4 billion members and beyond.
