2025 will be a Jubilee year for Catholics around the world. During Jubilee Years, pilgrimages to places Catholics deem sacred take on great importance. Catholic Jubilees, celebrated every 25 years, are events of exceptional importance for believers, wherever they are.
Last May, with the papal Bull of Indiction Spes non confundit (Hope does not disappoint), Pope Francis proclaimed the Jubilee of 2025 –the 27th among the ordinary jubilees in the history of the Catholic Church, and the second during his pontificate. The first jubilee of the current pope declared 2015 as the holy year of mercy. The Jubilee of 2025 will be dedicated to hope.
Jubilee Calendar 2025
Pope Francis set a precise timetable for the opening of the Holy Doors during the Holy Year, marking the following highlight dates:
- Dec. 24, 2024: The Jubilee begins, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
- Dec. 29, 2024: St. John Lateran, Rome’s cathedral, will open its holy doors. It is a particularly significant date as the basilica celebrates the 1,700th anniversary of its dedication.
- Jan. 1, 2025: At the beginning of the new year, the Holy Door of St. Mary Major will opes.
- Jan. 5, 2025: The first week concludes, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
- Dec. 28, 2025: The Holy Doors of these Roman basilicas will be closed, marking the end of the Jubilee in particular churches.
- Jan. 6, 2026: The Ordinary Jubilee ends with the closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s, on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.
While the most solemn openings are traditionally concentrated in Rome, the Jubilee is celebrated in all dioceses around the world. On December 29, 2024, each bishop will celebrate the opening of the Holy Year in his own cathedral, inviting the faithful to a spiritual pilgrimage, and a journey of inner renewal.
A plunge into the past
The first Jubilee in history was proclaimed on February 22, 1300, by Pope Boniface VIII. With the papal bull Antiquorum habet fida relatio, the pontiff instituted this particular Holy Year, drawing inspiration from the ancient Jewish tradition of the Jubilee year and the legend of the 100-year indulgence.
Why 1300? The choice of 1300 was not accidental. It was a time of great religious and cultural activity in Europe. Rome, in particular, was a main center of pilgrimages and popular devotion. Boniface VIII, with this initiative, intended to strengthen the prestige of the Church and promote Catholicism among the population.
The motivations of Boniface VIII were, among others:
- · Spiritual revival: The Pontiff intended to offer the faithful an opportunity to renew their faith.
- · Strengthening of papal power: The Jubilee helped increase the prestige of the Church of Rome, and strengthen the Pope’s authority.
- · Incentive to pilgrimages: The influx of pilgrims to Rome brought significant economic benefits to the city and the Church.
- The Jubilee of 1300 was an unprecedented historical event that marked the beginning of a long tradition. Since then, the Jubilee has been celebrated every 25 years, and has become a key event for the Catholic Church and a time of spiritual rebirth for millions.
The core of the Jubilee is the offering of plenary indulgence –a complete remission of both sins and temporal punishments. To obtain this grace, the faithful must make the physical pilgrimage to the Papal Basilicas, participate in the Sacrament of Penance, and make acts of charity and hope. This act symbolizes God’s forgiveness and invites believers to live a more charitable life.
Pilgrimage, an integral part of the Jubilee
Pilgrimage during the Jubilee is a physical journey and a transformative experience. It is a reminder of the biblical tradition of Abraham, the patriarch who left his land to answer God’s call. Christians understand that Jesus also fulfilled his ministry by crossing lands and hearts.
Preparing for pilgrimage involves more than choosing an itinerary. It is an opportunity to visit papal basilicas, yes, but it is first and foremost a personal encounter with one’s own spiritual tradition. Each step of the journey should lead pilgrims to explore their faith in depth.
During the Jubilee, dioceses and parishes around the world organize diocesan and national pilgrimages. These events not only facilitate the physical journey of the faithful, but also provide an opportunity for spiritual and community formation. Volunteers play a crucial role in welcoming and assisting pilgrims, ensuring that each visitor can fully experience the Jubilee.
The Papal Basilicas: Treasures of Faith and History
Rome’s four Papal Basilicas are exceptional places of worship and true cultural treasures. Each basilica is itself a historical monument, a testimony to the faith and culture that has shaped Christianity and humanity.
St. Peter’s in the Vatican: St. Peter’s Basilica, with its imposing dome designed by Michelangelo, is the heart of the Catholic Church. Built on the burial site of the apostle Peter, this basilica is a masterpiece of the Renaissance, with priceless works of art such as Michelangelo’s Pieta and the high altar topped by Bernini’s baldachin.
The basilica was consecrated in 1626. It remains the spiritual center of Catholicism, and the site of major papal celebrations.
St. John Lateran: Known as the “mother and head of all churches in the world,” the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome and of the Pope.
Founded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it was the first Christian basilica built and has undergone many transformations over the centuries. The interior is a triumph of Baroque art, with splendid frescoes, statues and the medieval cloister. Its facade, designed by Alessandro Galilei, is an example of neoclassical architecture.
Santa Maria Maggiore: Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this basilica is one of the four major patriarchal churches in Rome. Founded in the fifth century, it is famous for its Byzantine mosaics that decorate the triumphal arch and nave, depicting scenes from the lives of Mary and Christ.
The basilica also houses the “Chapel of the Crib” (not to be confused with the Vatican Chapel) and the Pauline Chapel, both rich in artwork and history.
St. Paul Outside the Walls: Built on the site of the apostle Paul ‘s martyrdom, this basilica has been an important pilgrimage site since ancient times. Destroyed by fire in 1823, it was completely rebuilt, preserving the original early Christian structure. The interior features an imposing nave surrounded by monolithic columns and decorated with medallions depicting all the popes since the founding of the Church.
