Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, by opening the “Holy Door” of St. Peter’s Basilica before a crowd of thousands of faithful.
Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the officials present.
By walking through the Holy Door over the next 12 months, Catholics will be able to obtain a ‘plenary indulgence’ for their sins.
“The opening of the Holy Door on #Christmas Eve symbolizes a passage — an Easter of renewal — to enter into the new life offered to us through the encounter with Christ,” the Argentine pontiff said via X earlier on Tuesday.
In the coming days, holy doors will also be opened at Rome’s Rebibbia prison and at the Italian capital’s three other major basilicas: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The Jubilee, which features a rich program of shows, conferences, concerts and religious events, is expected to bring over 30 million pilgrims to Rome. (ANSA)
