Pope Francis inaugurated the Catholic Jubilee Year 2025, emphasizing hope and welcoming millions of pilgrims to Rome. He presided over the Christmas Eve Mass, opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica and celebrating with people from around the world.
Pope Francis presided over the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, after opening the basilica's holy door marking the start of the Catholic Jubilee Year 2025. From his wheelchair, Francis knocked a few times and the great Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica swung open. He was wheeled across the threshold as bells tolled across Rome and the choir inside the basilica began Christmas Eve Mass .
“The steps we now take are the steps of the whole church,” the pope said. Children and parents from five continents followed him into the basilica. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope, and he will underscore that message when he opens a Holy Door on Thursday at Rome’s Rebibbia prison in a bid to give inmates hope for a better future. Francis has long incorporated prison ministry into his priestly vocation, and has made several visits to Rebibbia and other prisons during his travels. Security around the Vatican was at its highest levels following the Christmas market attack last week in Germany, the interior ministry said. Italian authorities were using extra police patrols and camera surveillance around Rome, while pilgrims faced metal detectors and other security checks to access St. Peter’s Square via a reinforced police barricade passage. Francis, who turned 88 last week, went into the Christmas week and Jubilee launch with a cold that forced him to deliver his weekly Sunday blessing from indoors
Pope Francis Catholic Jubilee Year 2025 Holy Door Hope Christmas Eve Mass Vatican Rome Pilgrims Security
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