Pope Francis, at the age of 88, will officially commence the Catholic Church’s Holy Year of 2025 with a solemn ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. The pontiff will perform the traditional ritual of opening the Holy Door, a symbolic gesture as the door remains sealed from the inside except during a Holy Year.
The Catholic Church observes a Holy Year, or Jubilee Year, every 25 years, offering believers an opportunity for spiritual renewal. During this period, Catholics can seek forgiveness for their sins through prayer, penance, and pilgrimage. A key ritual includes passing through the Holy Doors in Rome, which signifies a path to grace and redemption.
Millions of pilgrims are expected to flock to Rome for the Jubilee Year, with estimates ranging from 30 to 45 million visitors. Pilgrims who fulfill specific spiritual requirements, including attending masses and undertaking acts of devotion, can receive a plenary indulgence—a special grace that removes temporal punishment for sins.
Following the ceremony, Pope Francis will lead the traditional Christmas Mass, marking the beginning of the Vatican’s festive season. The pontiff is also expected to use this moment to advocate for peace and condemn ongoing conflicts, including the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
In Bethlehem, considered the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Christmas celebrations will be subdued due to the ongoing Gaza war. The annual procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and the midnight mass will proceed as planned, but public decorations and the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town’s central square have been cancelled.
