Pope Francis Inaugurates the 2025 Holy Year Amid Security Concerns

Pope Francis officially begins the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, embracing a cherished tradition within the Catholic Church that encourages followers to undertake pilgrimages to Rome. This inauguration comes at a time of heightened security concerns, particularly following a tragic incident at a Christmas market in Germany.

The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica will be opened by the Pope during the Christmas Eve Mass, remaining accessible for the entirety of the year to accommodate around 32 million pilgrims expected to visit the city.

The inception of the Holy Year dates back to 1300, with recent celebrations typically occurring every 25 to 50 years. Pilgrims who take part in these events can earn “indulgences,” a traditional aspect of the Church related to the remission of sins, akin to a “get out of Purgatory free” card.

The last ordinary Jubilee happened in 2000, led by St. John Paul II as the Church entered its third millennium. In contrast, Pope Francis held a special Jubilee centered on mercy from 2015 to 2016, with the subsequent one scheduled for 2033 to honor the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion.

Understanding Indulgences

In the teachings of the Church, Catholic believers who confess their transgressions are granted forgiveness, alleviating them from the everlasting punishment of damnation. Indulgences are intended to mitigate the “temporal” consequences of sin, which may affect the sinner’s connections with others.

Martin Luther famously challenged the Church’s practice of selling indulgences, a movement that resulted in his excommunication and the onset of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. The sale of indulgences was rendered illegal following the 1562 Council of Trent, although the Church continues to grant them as part of Holy Year observances.

For the 2025 Jubilee, Catholics may earn an indulgence by:

• Making a pious pilgrimage with active participation in Masses and sacraments at any of the four papal basilicas in Rome, the Holy Land, or other designated Jubilee sites to signify the need for conversion and reconciliation.
• Engaging in acts of charity, mercy, or penance, such as visiting those in prison, the sick, the elderly, or partaking in physical acts of mercy including feeding the hungry and caring for the needy.
• Refraining from “futile distractions,” such as social media, for at least one day per week, or limiting excessive consumption by fasting or donating to those in need.

Emphasis on Prison Ministry

Pope Francis has consistently prioritized outreach to prisoners as a vital aspect of his ministry, a theme that resonates throughout this Holy Year. Alongside the main Holy Door, he will also personally open a door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison, aiming to emphasize the importance of offering hope to incarcerated individuals.

The culmination of the Holy Year will be marked by the Jubilee of Prisoners on December 14, 2025, prior to the closing on January 6, 2026.

Upcoming Events and Security Measures

The calendar for the Jubilee is filled with a multitude of events, with Pope Francis expected to be present at several tailored for different groups including the military, artists, clergy, the impoverished, volunteers, and educators. Additionally, various unofficial events organized by dioceses and other entities will also contribute to the celebrations.

One notable event on the unofficial calendar involves an Italian initiative, “La Tenda di Gionata” or “Jonathan’s Tent,” focused on creating a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ Catholics within the Church.

In light of the anticipated influx of visitors, Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced comprehensive security measures comprising traditional police presence bolstered by around 700 additional officers, alongside advanced surveillance technologies employing drones and high-definition cameras to monitor crowd dynamics and congestion points.

Following a tragic incident in Magdeburg, Germany, where a Christmas market was attacked, Italian authorities have urged law enforcement across the nation to enhance surveillance and police activities around Christmas festivities and popular tourist sites, including those in the Vatican.

To ease congestion, the Vatican has extended the option for pilgrims to book visits to St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of time, aiming to manage the flow of visitors more effectively.

Preparations Underway in Rome

Preparations for the Holy Year have been extensive, with major public works and artistic restoration projects ongoing over the past two years, funded in part by the European Union’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. However, many of the 323 Jubilee-related initiatives remain incomplete, leading to anticipated disruptions in traffic and local aesthetics into 2025 and beyond. Nevertheless, some improvements are visible, such as the recently restored fountains in Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain.

The main Jubilee project, a newly designed pedestrian area linking Castel St. Angelo to Via della Conciliazione, was unveiled this past Monday, promoting accessibility to the heart of the Holy Year’s celebrations at St. Peter’s Square.