Since the opening of the Jubilee Year, over a Million Pilgrims have already crossed the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica. Holy Doors are traditionally opened during Jubilee years, occurring every 25 years or during extraordinary jubilees.
Newsroom (02/09/2025 Gaudium Press) Pope Francis inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2024. This sacred door will remain open until January 6, 2026, inviting pilgrims worldwide to embark on a journey of faith and renewal.
Over a Million Pilgrims Cross the Holy Door
As of February 7, 2025, approximately 1.3 million individuals have passed through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, emphasized that the true measure of the Jubilee’s success lies in the spiritual transformation within each pilgrim’s heart.
Additional Holy Doors Opened Across Rome
In addition to St. Peter’s Basilica, Holy Doors have been opened at Rome’s other major papal basilicas:
- St. John Lateran
- St. Paul Outside the Walls
- St. Mary Major
Notably, Pope Francis also opened a Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison, symbolizing that hope and redemption are accessible to all, both inside and outside prison walls.
The Significance of Holy Doors
Holy Doors are traditionally opened during Jubilee years, occurring every 25 years or during extraordinary jubilees. They serve as a powerful symbol of the passage to salvation and the invitation to a renewed life in Christ. Passing through a Holy Door represents a pilgrim’s journey toward reconciliation, conversion, and a deeper encounter with God.
