Pope Francis will commence a centuries-long Catholic tradition on Christmas Eve and introduce a first-time, historical addition to the holy ritual.
Starting on Dec. 24, the pontiff will open a series of five Holy Doors throughout the Vatican, including St. Peter’s Basilica, plus Rome’s three other basilicas to commence next year’s Catholic Church jubilee — a joyful commemoration of faith that normally occurs every 25 years.
The door at St. Peter’s was sealed shut by a wall of bricks since the Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy in 2016 and, on Dec. 2, those were ripped down to ready the door for opening as part of the rite of “recognition.”
After that Christmas Eve ritual, Pope Francis will open a symbolic door inside the Roman prison Rebibbia on Dec. 26, the feast of St. Stephen. It will be the first time a pope has opened a Holy Door at a prison, reported the Denver Catholic.
“I think of prisoners who, deprived of their freedom, daily feel the harshness of detention and its restrictions, lack of affection, and, in more than a few cases, lack of respect,” Pope Francis said.
“In order to offer prisoners a concrete sign of closeness, I would myself like to open a Holy Door in a prison, as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence.”
The objective of opening the doors later this month is to usher in a year “renewed in hope” as Christians find Christ as the “door of our salvation,” Pope Francis wrote in a proclamation, or “bull of indication,” for the 2025 year-long celebration.
“God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope,” he added. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.”
On Sunday, Dec. 29, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica Saint John Lateran, of which he is also the bishop.
Then, on New Year’s Day — also a holy day of obligation, the Solemnity of Mary — the Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major outside the Vatican in Rome will be opened.
Lastly, on Sunday, Jan. 5, Pope Francis will open the fifth and final Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
The Catholic tradition of celebrating a jubilee began in the 1300s and was initially stretched out every 100 years rather than 25.
For centuries, the Holy Doors have been opened at the four Roman basilicas to usher in memorable years for the church.
