On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis officially inaugurated the 2025 Holy Year by opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. This sacred tradition is expected to attract over 30 million pilgrims to Rome throughout the Jubilee Year.
Since the first Holy Year in 1300, passing through the Holy Door or one of the three doors in other Papal Basilicas has granted pilgrims indulgences, signifying the forgiveness of sins. The 2025 Jubilee, themed around fostering hope and faith, marks the second such event led by Pope Francis, following the Jubilee of 2015.
In a historic first, Pope Francis will also open a fifth Holy Door at a Roman prison, extending an invitation to prisoners to “look toward the future with renewed hope.”
Approximately 7,000 attendees witnessed the Holy Door ceremony inside St. Peter’s Basilica, while thousands more watched on large screens in St. Peter’s Square or via global broadcasts.
Rome has implemented heightened security measures, deploying 700 additional officers and advanced surveillance systems. This follows a recent attack on a Christmas market in Germany, prompting intensified police patrols around key landmarks.
Preparations for the Holy Year have been ongoing for two years. However, only a fraction of the 300 planned public and renovation projects have been completed in time to welcome the expected wave of visitors.
