Pope Francis Opens Holy Door, Ushering in a Jubilee Year of Forgiveness and Hope

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has inaugurated a special Jubilee Year for the Roman Catholic Church, opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica during a solemn Christmas Eve ceremony.

This act, steeped in tradition, invites Catholics worldwide to embark on a spiritual journey of forgiveness and renewal.

The Jubilee, held every 25 years, is expected to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome, where they can pass through the Holy Door—symbolic of walking in holiness and seeking redemption.

During the ceremony, representatives from around the globe joined the Pope in crossing the threshold of the door, accompanied by the singing of the Jubilee hymn.

The origins of the Holy Door trace back to 1423 when Pope Martin V first opened a similar portal at the Lateran Basilica for an Extraordinary Jubilee.

At St. Peter’s Basilica, the tradition began in 1450 and has evolved over centuries.

Pope Alexander VI formalized the rituals in 1500, and by the year 2000, the once-bricked wall of the Holy Door was replaced by a ceremonial bronze door, underscoring the Church’s modernized approach to ancient customs.

Pope Francis last opened the Holy Door in 2015 for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, emphasizing themes of compassion and outreach.

This year’s Jubilee carries similar undertones, with a remarkable addition: for the first time in the tradition, the Pope will open a sacred door at a Roman prison on December 26, symbolizing hope and solidarity with the incarcerated.

The Jubilee schedule features several significant moments:

1. December 25, 2024: Pope Francis will deliver his traditional Urbi et Orbi message to the world from St. Peter’s Basilica.

2. December 29, 2024: The Holy Door of Saint John Lateran—considered the Pope’s cathedral—will be opened, coinciding with the church’s 1700th anniversary.

3. January 1, 2025: The Holy Door of Saint Mary Major will be unveiled during the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

4. January 5, 2025: The Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls will welcome pilgrims through its Holy Door.

The Holy Doors will remain open for the duration of the Jubilee Year, closing on December 28, 2025.

By opening the Holy Door and extending this tradition to unexpected places, Pope Francis continues to emphasize inclusion and hope.

His decision to open a sacred door in a prison underscores his commitment to marginalized communities, echoing his papal theme of mercy.

The Jubilee Year invites Catholics from all walks of life to step through these symbolic doors and reflect on their spiritual paths, joining a centuries-old tradition that celebrates renewal, forgiveness, and unity.