Pope opens particular ‘holy door’ for Catholic jubilee at Rome jail By Reuters

By Joshua McElwee

ROME (Reuters) – Pope Francis visited certainly one of Italy’s largest jail complexes on Thursday and inaugurated a particular “Holy Door” for the Catholic Holy 12 months 2025, which the Vatican mentioned was the primary such motion by a Catholic pontiff. .

Chatting with a whole bunch of inmates, guards and employees on the Rebibbia jail on the outskirts of Rome, Francis mentioned he needed to open the door, a part of the jail chapel, and one of many 5 which might be opened in the course of the Holy 12 months, to indicate that “hope doesn’t disappoint”.

“In dangerous occasions, we will all suppose that every part is over,” the pontiff mentioned. “Do not lose hope. That is the message I needed to convey to you. Do not lose hope.”

Francis on Tuesday inaugurated the Catholic Holy 12 months, also called the Jubilee. A Catholic jubilee is taken into account a time of peace, forgiveness and style. This jubilee, devoted to the theme of hope, will proceed till January 6, 2026.

Holy years usually happen each 25 years and often contain the opening of 4 particular “Holy Doorways” in Rome, which symbolize the door to salvation for Catholics. The doorways, situated within the papal basilicas of Rome, are solely open throughout Jubilee years.

The Vatican mentioned the opening of the “Holy Door” of Rebibbia jail in Rome was the primary time such a door had been opened by a pope in a jail because the Jubilee 12 months custom started by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300.

Francis has proven particular consideration to the incarcerated throughout his 11 years of hold forth. He typically visited the prisons of Rome and through his journeys overseas.