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Holy Year 2025: Pope Francis opens gates to millions of pilgrims!
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door in the Vatican on Christmas Eve 2024 and ushers in the Holy Year 2025.
Holy Year 2025: Pope Francis opens gates to millions of pilgrims!
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, Pope Francis ceremoniously opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, which had been closed for years, officially ushering in the Holy Year 2025. The 88-year-old pope, who uses a wheelchair, hit the massive bronze door with a small hammer, which was then opened by helpers. This symbolic ceremony marks the start of a special religious event that is expected to bring 30 million pilgrims and tourists to the city of Rome for most of next year, the Stuttgarter Nachrichten reported.
An event of great importance
The Holy Year, also known as the Jubilee Year, usually occurs every 25 years, although the Pope can also proclaim special years. The last of this kind was the Holy Year of Mercy in 2015/2016. By opening the Holy Door, the Pope places the faithful in a “time of mercy and forgiveness.” During the ceremony, Francis emphasized the solidarity of believers and pilgrimage as a sign of peace. He opened the gate at a time when the world is characterized by conflicts and crises and sees his office as a role of hope and change, DW said.
Numerous events and audiences with the Pope are planned in the coming months, despite his health problems. However, Italy's capital not only has to overcome religious challenges, but also security challenges. After an attack in Magdeburg, authorities in Italy took extensive security measures to ensure the safety of participants during the Holy Year. St. Peter's Square was additionally guarded that day, which the city administration prepared for the high number of visitors of over 30 million tourists and pilgrims.
For many, the Holy Year is a new beginning and a departure to faith, while at the same time church tradition is combined with modern approaches, such as the first-ever participation of the LGBTQ community in a pilgrimage that is noted in the official calendar. This could represent a new chapter in church history and shows the Catholic Church's constant adaptation to social changes.
DW reported on the opening of the Holy Year and the associated expectations. They also provided information Stuttgart News about the security precautions and the upcoming influx of pilgrims in Rome.