This Tuesday, December 24, Pope Francis celebrated the traditional Christmas mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican. But this year, this celebration was also an opportunity for the Sovereign Pontiff to launch the “Holy Year” 2025, also known as the “Jubilee”.
Pope Francis celebrated the traditional Christmas mass this Tuesday, December 24, in Saint Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican. But during this celebration, the Holy Father took the opportunity to open the Holy Door, usually sealed, symbol of the inauguration of the “Holy Year” 2025, the 27th in History. But what is this event about?
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A tradition established in 1300
The Holy Year or Jubilee is, for Catholics around the world, a year which represents “a unique opportunity to ask the Lord to direct it towards holiness. It is the year of sacramental penance and solidarity, of hope, of justice, of commitment to the service of God”, specifies the website of the Catholic Church.
It was in the year 1300 with Pope Boniface VIII that this tradition was established every 100 years. Its origins date back to the Old Testament, when the law of Moses established a special year for the Jewish people: “You shall make the fiftieth year a holy year and you shall proclaim liberation for all the inhabitants of the land. This will be for you the year of jubilee. It was in 1475 that Pope Sixtus IV decided that the Holy Year would take place every 25 years.
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The theme of this year 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope”
The Holy Year is therefore an opportunity for Catholics from all over the world to get closer to God and come on pilgrimage to Rome to obtain the “Plenary Indulgence”, in other words forgiveness for sins. To do this, the faithful will have to cross one of the Holy Doors of the Major Basilicas, confess, participate in the Eucharist, pray for the intentions of the pope and make a spiritual commitment. The theme for this year 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope”.
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The last Jubilee took place in the year 2000, under the pontificate of John Paul II. That year, 25 million faithful came to Rome on pilgrimage. In 2025, 30 million people are expected at the Vatican. And among the faithful gathered this Wednesday in Saint Peter's Square, Maria and Anna expressed their wishes for next year. “I would like to hear positive information, because it does the heart good and I wish a better future for us young people. A future made of work and meritocracy,” concludes the first.
Several events will be organized such as masses, exhibitions, conferences, but also concerts. This Holy Year will end on January 6, 2026 which coincides with the closing of the Holy Doors.
