Pope Francis officially launched the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a significant celebration for the Catholic Church that’s set to attract around 32 million pilgrims to Rome.
This event will be a true test of both the pope’s endurance and Rome’s capacity to accommodate such a large influx of visitors. From his wheelchair, Francis tapped on the Holy Door of St.
Peter’s Basilica, which then opened wide. He was wheeled through as bells rang throughout the city and the Christmas Eve Mass choir began singing inside the basilica.
In his homily, Francis emphasized that this Holy Year is a chance to alleviate debt in poorer nations and to commit ourselves to environmental protection.
He expressed that this Jubilee aims to instill hope in those enduring long, bleak days—like prisoners or those living in poverty—and in areas scarred by conflict and violence.
This ceremony kicked off a Jubilee tradition that happens every 25 years, inviting Catholics from all over to make their way to Rome. For this Jubilee, Francis has chosen hope as its central theme and will reinforce this message when he opens another Holy Door at Rebibbia prison on Thursday, aiming to inspire hope among inmates for better futures.
The pope has always been passionate about prison ministry and has visited Rebibbia and other prisons during his travels.
Security around Vatican City is tighter than ever following last week’s Christmas market attack in Germany, according to Italy’s interior ministry. Authorities have ramped up police patrols and surveillance cameras across Rome, while pilgrims must pass through metal detectors and security checks at reinforced barricades before entering St. Peter’s Square.
At 88 years old, Francis entered this busy week with a cold that had him delivering his Sunday blessing from indoors instead of outside as usual—but he seemed lively during Tuesday evening’s events. His health is a concern given his history with bronchitis, especially with such an intense schedule ahead for the Holy Year.
One major highlight will be the canonization of Carlo Acutis—a teenage tech whiz known as the first saint of the millennial generation—during April’s Jubilee dedicated to young people. Additionally, this week he’ll give his annual Urbi et Orbi (to the city and world) message from St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Day, along with leading New Year’s Eve vespers and Mass on New Year’s Day.
Rome is entering this Jubilee with some anxiety; after two years filled with extensive public works that have caused traffic jams while upgrading transportation systems and emergency services—the patience of residents has definitely been tested!
Only about a third of the 323 projects have actually been wrapped up, and Rome is already feeling the strain of too many tourists. After COVID-19, visitors have flocked back to Italy, and the surge in short-term vacation rentals has only made the housing crisis worse.
Some of Rome’s beloved landmarks, like the Trevi Fountain, have recently reopened. Just in time for this year’s Jubilee, a new pedestrian plaza connecting Castel St. Angelo to Via della Conciliazione—leading to St.
Peter’s Square—was unveiled on Monday. Vatican officials emphasize that Rome has a long-standing tradition of welcoming pilgrims and highlight how previous Jubilees have shaped both the city’s urban landscape and its spiritual essence.
For instance, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned the Sistine Chapel during the Jubilee of 1475, while St. John Paul II oversaw the construction of a large garage for the 2000 Jubilee. The first Holy Year was declared by Pope Boniface VII back in 1300, with these events typically celebrated every 25 to 50 years since then.
Pilgrims who join in can earn indulgences—essentially a get out of Purgatory free card! In fact, Pope Francis announced a special Jubilee focused on mercy for 2015-16, with another one set for 2033 to mark Christ’s crucifixion anniversary.
The last regular Jubilee happened in 2000 when St. John Paul II welcomed in the church’s third millennium; before that was notable because during the 1975 event, Pope Paul VI almost got hit by falling plaster when he opened the Holy Door! He had to use a ceremonial hammer three times on what turned out to be a fake wall covering it up—a wall that has since been removed well ahead of time!