Pope Francis to Inaugurate Holy Year 2025 During Christmas Eve Celebration

A major event is set to unfold on Christmas Eve in Vatican City as Pope Francis inaugurates the Holy Year 2025. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a Jubilee Year, a tradition deeply rooted in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years.

The Jubilee Year is a time of spiritual renewal, pilgrimage, and forgiveness, drawing millions of faithful from around the world to Rome.

The inauguration will commence with the solemn opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica, a ritual that symbolizes the passage to salvation that Jesus opened for humanity.

This act is steeped in history, tracing back to the first Holy Year held in 1300. The Holy Door, sealed from the inside, is only opened during a jubilee year, inviting pilgrims to pass through as a gesture of seeking reconciliation and grace.

Pope Francis, known for his emphasis on mercy and hope, has chosen the theme "Pilgrims of Hope" for this Jubilee Year. In a papal bull titled "Spes Non Confundit," or "Hope does not disappoint," issued on May 9, 2024, he articulated the essence of this theme.

He wrote, "Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring." This message resonates deeply in a world often fraught with uncertainty and challenges.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., just before the midnight Mass, a time when the Vatican will be illuminated by the presence of thousands of pilgrims gathered to witness this sacred rite. The Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica will remain open throughout the year, serving as a beacon of faith and a call to conversion for all who enter.

In addition to St. Peter's Basilica, Holy Doors will also be opened at Rome's other major basilicas: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These doors will be opened on subsequent dates, allowing pilgrims ample opportunity to participate in this spiritual journey.

Notably, for the first time in Jubilee history, a fifth Holy Door will be opened at Rebibbia Prison on December 26, 2024. This unprecedented gesture by Pope Francis underscores his commitment to reaching out to marginalized communities, offering them a message of hope and redemption.

The Jubilee Year is expected to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of faith and devotion. Signs around the Eternal City proclaim "Roma si trasforma"—"Rome is transformed"—as infrastructure projects and restorations prepare the city for this influx of visitors.

The anticipation is palpable, as the Jubilee offers an opportunity for personal and communal renewal, inviting Catholics worldwide to embark on pilgrimages, engage in acts of mercy, and deepen their relationship with God.

Throughout the Jubilee Year, diocesan bishops are encouraged to open Holy Doors in their own cathedrals, fostering local celebrations and encouraging the faithful to make pilgrimages within their regions. This decentralized approach allows Catholics everywhere to partake in the spirit of the Jubilee, even if they cannot travel to Rome.

The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2026, with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica on the feast of the Epiphany. However, the Holy Doors at Rome's other major basilicas will close on December 28, 2025, marking the end of local celebrations. As the Church looks ahead to 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, Pope Francis envisions this Jubilee as a stepping stone toward that significant milestone.

Pope Francis' decision to open a Holy Door in a prison reflects his ongoing concern for prisoners and his advocacy for prison reform. Throughout his pontificate, he has emphasized the need for compassion and respect for the dignity of detainees, challenging society to view them not as outcasts but as individuals capable of transformation. His visits to prisons, including the women's section of Rebibbia Prison earlier this year, highlight his commitment to extending mercy and hope to those often forgotten by society.

In line with Catholic social teaching, Pope Francis advocates for a justice system centered on rehabilitation rather than retribution. He calls for addressing systemic issues in prisons, such as overcrowding and inhumane conditions, and urges governments to invest in restorative justice programs. His vision is one of healing and reconciliation, where relationships are rebuilt, and communities are mended.