In a heartfelt gesture, the Pope will open a Holy Door at Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome, just two days after inaugurating the Jubilee Year at St. Peter’s Basilica. This extraordinary event, scheduled for December 26, symbolises Pope Francis’s unwavering commitment to those who are imprisoned and reflects his desire to extend the Jubilee’s spirit of mercy and reconciliation to the incarcerated worldwide.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, chief organiser of the Holy Year 2025 and pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, highlighted the symbolic importance of Rebibbia prison as representing “all the prisons dispersed throughout the world.” In his “bull of indiction” formally proclaiming the Holy Year, Pope Francis expressed his deep concern for prisoners who endure the hardships of isolation and lack of human connection. His hope is that this Holy Year will be a time of renewed dignity and support for those within prison walls, where he calls on governments to implement amnesty measures and reintegration programmes that will offer prisoners a tangible path toward rehabilitation and belonging.

On December 24, Pope Francis will officially open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, a ritual that traditionally marks the start of a Holy Year. Following this, he will open Holy Doors at the remaining three major basilicas: St. John Lateran on December 29, St. Mary Major on January 1, and St. Paul Outside the Walls on January 5. This Jubilee of 2025 is expected to welcome an estimated 30 million pilgrims to Rome, drawn by the Holy Doors as symbols of spiritual renewal and God’s boundless mercy.

In addition to these sacred events, the Vatican is arranging a series of cultural initiatives to further enrich the Jubilee experience. On November 3, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, while three art exhibitions in November and December will showcase rare Christian icons from the Vatican Museums’ collection. On December 22, a special concert by the Sistine Chapel Choir will take place just days before the Holy Door opening at St. Peter’s Basilica, setting a reflective and hopeful tone for the upcoming Holy Year.

With each Holy Door he opens, Pope Francis invites every person — especially those on the margins of society — to embrace a renewed relationship with God and humanity. His visit to Rebibbia prison is a testament to the enduring compassion and inclusiveness at the heart of this Jubilee Year, reminding us all of the transformative power of hope, mercy, and forgiveness.