Pope Francis has inaugurated the Holy Year 2025 at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the opening of the bronze Holy Door after 25 years. He emphasized hope and mercy during the Christmas Mass, calling on Christians to support those in despair. The jubilee year will include various events in Rome and a special celebration for World Youth Day. Additionally, the Pope will open another Holy Door in a prison, symbolizing hope for inmates.
Celebrating the Holy Year 2025 at St. Peter’s Basilica
After a quarter of a century, the majestic bronze door of St. Peter’s Basilica has swung open once more. Pope Francis has officially inaugurated the Holy Year 2025, urging the faithful to embrace and share hope. During the Christmas Mass, he emphasized the importance of spreading optimism, particularly in troubled times.
A Moment of Reflection and Renewal
Pope Francis marked the commencement of the Holy Year in the Vatican. This significant event, which occurs every 25 years, saw the 88-year-old pontiff pass through the Holy Door of the basilica in a wheelchair, a door that is typically sealed. The ringing bells of St. Peter’s signaled the beginning of this jubilee year, which Pope Francis describes as a time for ‘mercy and forgiveness.’ Following the Pope’s entry, clergy and Catholics from around the globe followed through the Holy Door.
Before this solemn occasion, the Pope offered a heartfelt peace prayer, asking God to open hearts and foster dialogue among adversaries. He prayed for the Church to serve as a beacon of hope and love, illuminating the path to the Kingdom of God.
As the Holy Door opened, Pope Francis called on Christians everywhere to carry hope to those in despair, particularly in places where it has faded and where hearts have been broken. In his Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s, he implored the faithful to reach out to the lonely, the suffering, and those affected by conflict and poverty. ‘Hope has not died; hope lives on and envelops our lives forever!’ he proclaimed. The theme for this Holy Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ encapsulates this message.
The opening of the door marks the beginning of the ‘Giubileo,’ which will conclude with its closing on January 6, 2026. Throughout the year, various spiritual, social, and cultural events will be hosted in Rome, catering to diverse audiences. A special celebration reminiscent of World Youth Day is also planned for the summer, with expectations of over 30 million visitors flocking to the Eternal City.
In addition to the Holy Door at St. Peter’s, the other Holy Doors in the city will also be opened. The cardinals at the Lateran Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul Outside the Walls will oversee this, while Pope Francis is set to open another door in a Roman prison on the second day of Christmas. This act serves as a powerful symbol of hope for prisoners worldwide.
This Christmas, the atmosphere in Bethlehem contrasts sharply with the celebrations in the Vatican. At noon on Christmas Day, Pope Francis is scheduled to deliver the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing approximately 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. In his message, he is expected to denounce global conflicts and highlight the struggles faced by humanity, especially in light of the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Tens of thousands of believers are anticipated to gather in St. Peter’s Square for this significant occasion.