Pilgrims from around the world are passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis opened to begin the 2025 Jubilee.

In the quiet of Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, launching what he called a "Jubilee of Hope." As the doors opened, the bells of the basilica began to peal. After the reading of a brief passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus describes

The pope opened the Jubilee Holy Doors praying that the Holy Spirit would soften hearts so that "enemies may speak to each other again."

Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, by opening the 'Holy Door' of St Peter's Basilica, before a crowd of thousands of faithful. Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the officials present.

Holy Year, themed around hope and trust, has begun with the Pope opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, as Rome prepares for 30 million pilgrims with heightened security and ongoing renovations.

"I wanted all of us, inside or out, to have an opportunity to throw open the doors of our hearts and understand that hope does not disappoint."

Pope Francis on Tuesday opened the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, marking the official beginning of the Jubilee year of the Catholic Church. In a Christmas Eve ceremony rich with symbolism,

Vatican: Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican for the much-awaited 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, as announced by the official Vatican News agency on Tuesday (Dec 24) night.

The Jubilee ceremony begins with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica. The ceremony includes prayers in Latin and Italian, symbolising forgiveness, as the Pope crosses the threshold to start the Holy Year.