VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will inaugurate the Roman Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025 celebrations on Christmas Eve with a grand ceremony that includes opening the “Holy Door” of St. Peter’s Basilica at 7 p.m. local time (2 a.m. Singapore time, Dec 25).
The 88-year-old pontiff, recovering from a recent cold, will lead the event in front of 30,000 attendees, as well as millions watching via live broadcasts globally. The Jubilee is expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims to Rome over the next year, offering those who pass through the bronze Holy Door the opportunity to receive a “plenary indulgence,” a traditional form of spiritual forgiveness.
Following the door-opening ceremony, Pope Francis will preside over Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing to the city and the world at noon on Christmas Day.
Security Tightened Amid Celebrations
Preparations and security measures are ramping up as 700 security officers are deployed across Rome and the Vatican. The increased vigilance follows a Dec. 20 attack on a German Christmas market, which left five dead and injured 200.
Jubilee 2025 celebrations, held every 25 years, are meant to serve as a period of reflection and penance for Catholics, featuring a series of religious and cultural events including Masses, exhibitions, concerts, and conferences.
Rome Prepares for the Surge
In anticipation of millions of pilgrims, extensive renovations have transformed key parts of the Eternal City. Iconic landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and Ponte Sant’Angelo have been restored, and infrastructure projects have sought to ease overcrowding and improve traffic flow. On Dec. 23, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the timely completion of a new road tunnel near the Vatican as a “little civil miracle.”
Inclusivity and Technology Highlight Modern Jubilee
The Vatican has embraced modernity for Jubilee 2025 with online registration, multilingual apps for navigation, and a mascot named Luce (“Light” in Latin), inspired by Japanese anime. While some traditionalists criticized the approach, the Church hopes to attract younger audiences and broader participation.
Among the diverse groups participating is the Italian LGBTQ organization La Tenda di Gionata, underscoring Pope Francis’ call for a more inclusive Church. The event’s motto, Pilgrims of Hope, reflects this inclusive vision as groups from all walks of life, including migrants, artists, and athletes, plan visits throughout the year.
In the coming days, Holy Doors will open in basilicas around Rome and Catholic churches globally. Pope Francis will also mark the Jubilee by opening a Holy Door at Rebibbia prison in Rome on Dec. 26, where he will preside over a Mass as a gesture of solidarity with inmates.