Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, launching the Jubilee year of Catholic celebrations. This event is expected to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome over the next 12 months.
The 88-year-old pontiff, who has recently been suffering from a cold, was pushed to the huge, ornate bronze door in a wheelchair. There he knocked on the door before it swung open, allowing him to pass through as the bells of the Vatican rang out, marking the ceremonial start of this significant occasion.
The opening of the Holy Door, which is normally bricked up, symbolizes the opportunity for pilgrims to receive "plenary indulgence," traditionally understood as forgiveness for their sins as they engage with the sacred space over the next year.
After the door ceremony, Pope Francis presided over the Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s, where he focused on the victims of war. “We think of wars, of machine-gunned children, of bombs on schools and hospitals,” he said during his poignant homily, underscoring the toll of conflict on innocents.
This year’s Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” was highlighted as the Pope emphasized the church's role as open and welcoming. His comments came after his recent criticism of the “cruelty” of military strikes, which elicited backlash from Israel due to his remarks about children affected by the violence.
Preparations for the Jubilee have been extensive, with around 700 security officers deployed around the Vatican and Rome, particularly following heightened risks highlighted by recent incidents, including a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in Germany on December 20. Streets and key monuments throughout Rome, like the Trevi Fountain and the Ponte Sant’Angelo, have been cleaned and improved to accommodate the influx of visitors, raising questions among residents about the city's capacity to handle the anticipated crowd.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked on the efforts to prepare the city, stating it took “a little civil miracle” to complete key projects, including the inauguration of a new road tunnel near the Vatican just the day before the jubilee launch. She described the urgency for efficiency to manage the large-scale event, reflecting the hard work undertaken by city planners and workers over the previous months.
Beyond the festivities at St Peter’s, the opening of Holy Doors is set to occur not only at the Vatican but also across major basilicas worldwide. These openings serve to invite Christians everywhere to partake in the jubilee celebrations, revitalizing their faith and exploring the significance of this period of reflection.
On December 26, Pope Francis plans to open another Holy Door at Rebibbia prison, where he will preside over mass, demonstrating the Church's commitment to extending grace beyond traditional boundaries of access.
The Jubilee is organized by the Church every 25 years, but extraordinary Jubilees occur as needed. The last one was held in 2016, and the next is scheduled for 2033 to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, these events include numerous cultural and religious activities such as masses, exhibitions, concerts, and conferences, all aimed at offering opportunities for reflection and forgiveness.
For many, like French tourist Ms. Lisbeth Dembele, the visit to the Vatican during this time holds special significance. “It’s my first time in Rome and for me, to be here at the Vatican, I feel already blessed,” she expressed, capturing the spirit of pilgrimage and newfound devotion many hope to embody during this jubilee year.
The Vatican is utilizing modern technology to facilitate the thousands of pilgrims expected throughout the year, providing online registration and multilingual apps to navigate events. This inclusive approach is also exemplified by the participation of groups like the Italian LGBTQ+ organization La Tenda di Gionata, reflecting the pope's broader vision for the Church to embrace all facets of society.
During his homily, the Pope encapsulated the significance of the Jubilee, calling it time for “spiritual renewal” and emphasizing the need for compassion not only for those burdened by war and strife but also for the environment, referring to “our mother earth, disfigured by profiteering” and “the poorer countries burdened beneath unfair debts.”
With its roots traced back to the first Jubilee organized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, the event has evolved significantly, but its core intent remains focused on guiding the faithful toward repentance, mercy, and community.
Jubilee 2025 is poised to be not only a chance for personal reflection but also for the collective experience of faith, hope, and redemption as millions converge on the Eternal City.
