On Tuesday, in his homily during the vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, Pope Francis called for the “transformation of a world plagued by poverty, slavery and conflicts”. At the Christmas Eve Mass directly in the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, there were about 6,000 people, another 20,000 believerspilgrims and tourists watched it on large screens on Náměstí sv. Peter, the news website Vatican News reported on Wednesday night.
As the AP agency wrote with reference to the Italian Ministry of the Interior, in and around the Vatican very strict security measures were in place related to the recent attack on Christmas markets in Germany.
Before the Christmas Eve Mass, the Pope at the Basilica of St. Peter opened the Holy Gate, officially starting the Holy Year 2025 (Jubilee) of the Catholic Church. Francis later said in his homily that the Holy Year is an opportunity to get rid of the debts of poor countries and commit to protecting the planet.
According to him, the goal of Jubilee 2025 is also to “bring hope to the endless, gloomy days of prisoners, to the cold and bleak dwellings of the poor and to all places desecrated by war and violence”. Francis dedicated the 2025 jubilee to the theme of hope, and he will underline this message when on Thursday he opens the Holy Gate also in the Roman prison of Rebibbia – in an effort to give prisoners hope for a better future.
On Sunday, December 29, the Pope will open the Holy Gate of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. The same day will mark the beginning of the Jubilee in all cathedrals and co-cathedrals around the world, the local bishop will serve Mass. On the feast of the Virgin Mary – January 1, 2025 – Pope Francis will open the Holy Gate of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The same ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 5 at the Epiphany vigil in the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls.
The Jubilee will end on December 28, 2025 in local churches around the worldwhile on the same day the Holy Gates of the Lateran Basilica, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls. The Jubilee Year will formally end in Rome with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, 2026. An important content of the holy years is the call for forgiveness in all relationships and at all levels, which is also related to the possibility of obtaining the so-called indulgences.
