Pope Francis Opens Historic "Holy Door" at Italian Prison for 2025 Jubilee, Delivering Message of Hope to Inmates

 

In a groundbreaking gesture of solidarity, Pope Francis visited Rebibbia prison, one of the largest prisons in Italy, on Thursday, where he opened a special "holy door" as part of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee celebrations. This historic act marks the first time a sacred portal has been opened at a jail, symbolizing the Pope's closeness to detainees and his message of hope.

Addressing hundreds of inmates, Pope Francis explained that he chose to open the second holy door of the Jubilee at the prison to emphasize the theme of the “Jubilee of Hope.” This is one of only five holy doors to be opened during the upcoming holy year, which began with the Pope's opening of the door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. In his papal bull “Spes non confundit” (hope does not disappoint), Pope Francis has called for amnesty, reintegration efforts for prisoners, and the abolition of the death penalty.

During the visit, the Pope described prison as a "cathedral of pain and hope" and likened hope to an anchor, urging all to maintain hope even during the most challenging times. He said, “Do not lose hope. This is the message I wanted to give you, to give all of us… because hope never disappoints.”

Over the next 12 months, Catholic pilgrims will be able to pass through the holy door, which is typically sealed, receiving a "plenary indulgence," a form of forgiveness for their sins. The Jubilee, organized by the Church every 25 years, aims to encourage reflection and penance, drawing millions of pilgrims to Rome for various cultural and religious events.

The Jubilee of 2025, under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope,” is not only a celebration for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics but also a call to extend its message of hope to a broader audience. The next scheduled Jubilee will be held in 2033, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.