Pope Francis starts the holy year: 32 million pilgrims expected!

Pope Francis starts the holy year: 32 million pilgrims expected!

Vatikanstadt, Italien - Vatican city, December 28, 2024 - A new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church has started! Pope Francis just opened the Holy Year 2025, an important event that is celebrated every 25 years and offers believers the opportunity to gain forgiveness for their sins. Under an impressive rush, more than 30 million pilgrims in Rome were expected at the beginning of the year, such as Fox News . Historically, this is an opportunity to emphasize the spiritual dimension of faith, especially in difficult times when conflicts like in Ukraine and the Middle East tirelessly rage.

The Holy Year was initiated with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Pforte of the Petal Basilica. In his speech, the Pope emphasized the importance of change and the hope associated with this anniversary. During the celebration, countless believers ask for divine grace: "Christian hope does not deceyive or disappoint Because it is Grounded in the certainty that Nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s Love," he said. But not everything was harmonious in the Vatican during the past year. Within the Catholic community, there were different reactions to the progress of Pope Francis, including the controversial decision to allow a Catholic blessing of homosexual couples. This step led to violent protests among traditional church representatives, such as Kathpress reported.

A high -rise flight of topics and controversy accompanied the pope year, which also included highlights such as the first participation of a Pope in the Biennale in Venice as well as the planning of important trips to Luxembourg and Belgium. The recent changes in the Cardinal College - 21 new cardinals have been appointed - expand the selection for the next Pope and promise a promising religious environment, while another 32 million visitors will flow into the heart of Christianity until January 6, 2026. The Pope also plans significant trips to strengthen inter-religious dialogue, including a planned trip to Turkey on the occasion of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nizea. The challenges of the Catholic Church remain great and Pope Francis is ready to face them.