The Jubilee 2025 is a special holy year in Rome and the Vatican City, and across Italy, starting at Christmas 2024 and ending at Epiphany 2026. A Jubilee year is a time for celebration, and sees millions of pilgrims visiting Rome seeking spiritual renewal and a stronger connection to their faith.
The Jubilee is a special year of grace. During the Jubilee, the Catholic Church allows people to ask for a plenary indulgence, which means forgiveness of sins for themselves or their deceased loved ones.
It happens once every 25 years - The Catholic Church started the Holy Year tradition in 1300 with Pope Boniface VIII, who planned for Jubilees to happen every century. The interval was later changed to every 33 years (reflecting Jesus’ life), and since 1450, Jubilees have occurred every 25 years so that each generation can take part in at least one Holy Year.
It was born from Jewish origins with the concept concept of the Jubilee, going back to a time when every 50 years people celebrated a year of rest for the land and freed slaves to promote equality and reduce wealth gaps. The start of this Jewish Jubilee was marked by the sound of a ram’s horn, called “jobel” in Hebrew, which is where the Christian term “Jubilee” comes from.
In 2015, there was an extraordinary Jubilee and this year, 2025 Jubilee will be his second. An Extraordinary Jubilee is called for special reasons. The 2015 Jubilee was held for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council and focused on Mercy. Before this Jubilee began, Pope Francis opened the holy door at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Bangui on November 29, showing support for the Central African Republic, which had experienced civil war.
During a Jubilee, pilgrims journey to Rome to participate in various religious rites, including passing through the Holy Doors of the four major papal basilicas:
• St. Peter’s Basilica: Opened on December 24, 2024.
• St. John Lateran Basilica: Opened on December 29, 2024.
• Basilica of Saint Mary Major: Opened on January 1, 2025.
• Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls: Opened on January 5, 2025.
These doors remain open throughout the Jubilee, symbolizing a path to salvation and forgiveness.
Notably, for the first time in history, Pope Francis extended this tradition by opening a Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison on December 26, 2024, emphasizing themes of mercy and hope for the incarcerated.
Whether for spiritual enrichment or cultural exploration, the 2025 Jubilee offers a unique opportunity to experience Rome’s profound religious heritage amidst a vibrant atmosphere.
