For the first time in history, a “holy door” was opened in the Rebibbia prison in Rome on Thursday. According to reports, Pope Francis made the historic visit during a “jubilee of charity” for the Catholic Church to celebrate the year 2025.
Speaking to hundreds of inmates, Pope Francis opened the holy door of the prison chapel. This is one of the only five doors to be opened during the “holy year,” which the church had declared. This act of opening the holy door sends the message that “hope does not disappoint,” the main theme of the jubilee. Pope Francis had earlier opened the first holy door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, beginning the jubilee year.
While giving his speech, Pope Francis told the prisoners not to lose hope but to persevere. He described prison as a “cathedral of pain and hope” and compared hope with an anchor, telling the inmates that “hope never disappoints in these most difficult moments.
History today as Pope Francis opened a 5th Holy Door in Rome’s Rebibbia Prison in order that even prisoners can experience the hope of this Jubilee Holy Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ 2025 #catholiclife #Catholic #pope #jubileeyear pic.twitter.com/8bRXgVkElV
— Sancta Familia Media (@SanctaFamiliaTV) December 26, 2024
The pope called for amnesty and reintegration of prisoners as part of his broader message for the jubilee year. The papal bull that marks the event, “Spes non confundit” (hope does not disappoint), was used by him to appeal for pathways to reintegration for prisoners and the abolition of the death penalty.
Pilgrims will have a chance to walk through the holy door in Catholic shrines during the next 12 months as part of spiritual practices associated with the jubilee. With an estimate of more than 30 million pilgrims who are expected to go to Rome, the jubilee organized every 25 years involves religious services, exhibitions, and cultural events.
