Welcome to the 2025 Jubilee of Hope!
On the magical evening of 24 December 2024, Pope Francis graced us with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, marking the beginning of the highly-anticipated 2025 Jubilee of Hope. During his Christmas evening Mass, the Pope emphasized that the Christ Child of Bethlehem brings infinite hope and joy to the world.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
The Holy Door holds great significance, symbolizing a call to holiness for all who pass through it. This act of opening the Holy Door during the Christmas Mass sets the stage for the Ordinary Jubilee, a historic event that takes place every 25 years, as outlined in the papal bull for the Jubilee, Spes non confundit. The Jubilee will culminate with the closing of the Holy Door on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord on 6 January 2026.
The Journey Through the Holy Door
The Holy Door beckons all who enter to embrace a life of holiness. Representatives of the People of God followed in the Pope’s footsteps as they crossed the threshold, heralding the arrival of pilgrims from every corner of the globe who will visit St. Peter’s Basilica during the Holy Year.
Originating from a tradition dating back to Pope Martin V in 1423, the Holy Door signifies a sacred passage into spiritual renewal. The opening of the Holy Door by Pope Francis echoes similar acts by his predecessors, including Pope St. John Paul II in 2000 and Pope Francis himself in 2015 for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
Embracing Christian Hope
As the Holy Year unfolds, Pope Francis prays for the light of Christian hope to illuminate every individual, spreading God’s love to all. He calls on the Church to bear faithful witness to this message across the globe, reinforcing the theme of the Jubilee to strengthen faith and recognize Christ in our midst.
The Pope’s message resonates with the Gospel passage from St. Luke, reminding us that the birth of Jesus brings great joy to all. He emphasizes that through the birth of Christ, God has come down to lift us up and restore us to the embrace of the Father.
Hope Personified
In the figure of Emmanuel, ‘God with us,’ Pope Francis finds the essence of hope. He marvels at the humility of God appearing on earth as a tiny child, offering a beacon of hope even in the midst of life’s challenges.
The Pope’s words echo a profound truth: “Hope is not dead; hope is alive and it embraces our lives forever!”
A Call to Action
The Jubilee serves as a wake-up call to break free from mediocrity and embrace the courage to effect positive change. Pope Francis draws inspiration from the teachings of Saint Augustine, urging us to be agents of hope and light in a world filled with darkness.
As disciples of the Lord, we are called to carry the flame of hope within us and radiate it outward, transforming our surroundings and enriching our lives.
Rediscovering Joy in Encounter
The Jubilee invites us to a spiritual renewal, challenging us to embrace the joy of encountering the Lord. Pope Francis reminds us that this season of hope is an opportunity for us to revitalize our faith and commit to transforming our world for the better.
He concludes by extending a heartfelt invitation: “Dear sister, dear brother, on this night the ‘holy door’ of God’s heart lies open before you. Jesus, God-with-us, is born for you, for us, for every man and woman. With him, joy flourishes; with Him, life changes; with Him, hope does not disappoint.”
Opening Doors of Hope
As the Jubilee progresses, more Holy Doors will be opened, including those in a Roman prison and various Papal Basilicas, symbolizing the universality of hope and the Pope’s commitment to inclusivity and compassion.
Come, join us on this journey of hope and renewal as we embrace the promise of a brighter tomorrow!
