By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 11, 2025 / 07:00 am
Pope Francis made history by opening a Holy Door in the Italian prison of Rebibbia during the Jubilee of Hope. This gesture was embraced by the prisoners as a symbol of mercy, closeness, and hope.
His visit to Rebibbia exemplified what he called for in the bull Spes Non Confundit: to be “tangible signs of hope for so many brothers and sisters who live in conditions of hardship.”
During a meeting with journalists organized by the ISCOM Association near the Vatican, Father Raffaele Grimaldi, inspector general of chaplains in Italian prisons, emphasized that the Holy Father understands the importance of offering support to those who have made mistakes in order to help them make positive changes.
‘I learned to be a priest’ as a prison chaplain
Grimaldi, who served as a chaplain in the Secondigliano prison in Naples for 23 years, now coordinates the 230 priests caring for the nearly 62,000 prisoners in Italy, including 20,000 foreigners.
Reflecting on his time as a chaplain, Grimaldi noted that the prison housed not only ordinary inmates but also those in maximum security with extensive criminal backgrounds.
He emphasized that his service was for everyone, irrespective of the crimes they had committed, as it is essential not to define a person solely by their mistakes.
Grimaldi described his experience in the Secondigliano prison as intense, shaping him both personally and spiritually.
The Transformative Power of Mercy in Prison Ministry
As a chaplain, I have learned invaluable lessons that have shaped me into the priest I am today. Working with the weakest and most excluded individuals has taught me the importance of mercy and forgiveness in our lives.
Over the course of 23 years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside prisoners and their families, offering them hope and support in their darkest moments. This experience has been the most beautiful and fulfilling of my life.
Chaplains like myself believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of compassion and support for prisoners. By helping them regain confidence and trust in themselves, we can make a real difference in their lives.
Recently, Pope Francis called for acts of clemency towards prisoners during the holy year, leading to the release of hundreds of individuals in Cuba. This act of mercy is a testament to the pope’s belief in the power of forgiveness and redemption.
When the pope speaks, he sets people free with his message of love and compassion. His call to mercy is a reminder that while justice is important, we must never forget the role of forgiveness in our society.
As we continue our work in prison ministry, let us remember the words of Pope Francis and strive to create a culture of acceptance and forgiveness in our communities. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
