The ritual of opening the Holy Door, a profound symbol of spiritual renewal during Jubilee celebrations, is a tradition steeped in history, tracing its origins to the Middle Ages.
As Pope Francis prepares to open the Holy Door on Christmas Eve 2025, this sacred act continues to inspire faith, marking a pivotal moment in the Church's call to hope and conversion.
The opening of the Holy Door, a timeless symbol of the Jubilee, marks a sacred beginning—a journey of conversion and an encounter with Christ, the "door" to salvation.
First documented in 1423 when Pope Martin V opened the Holy Door at St. John Lateran, the tradition expanded in 1499 when Pope Alexander VI inaugurated the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Day.
Over the centuries, this ritual has mirrored the Church’s response to historical challenges and its commitment to spiritual renewal:
1900 Jubilee: On December 24, 1899, Pope Leo XIII opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, ushering in a Jubilee year that embraced the tensions and transformations of modernization. Thousands of pilgrims gathered, witnessing this act of faith.
1925 Jubilee: Pope Pius XI began the Holy Year on Christmas Eve, using a ceremonial hammer gifted by bishops worldwide to open the Holy Door, uniting Catholics in prayer and penance.
1933 Jubilee of Redemption: Marking 1900 years since Christ’s Passion, Pope Pius XI welcomed over two million pilgrims to Rome in a Jubilee of Redemption, a testament to enduring faith amidst global challenges.
1950 Jubilee: Pope Pius XII struck the Holy Door on December 24, 1949, symbolically opening a year of grace for the faithful in the aftermath of World War II.
1975 Jubilee: With reconciliation as its central theme, Pope Paul VI crossed the Holy Door’s threshold with invocations to the Holy Spirit, emphasizing healing and renewal.
1983 Jubilee: Pope John Paul II commemorated Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, opening the Holy Door to invite believers into a transformative state of grace.
2000 Great Jubilee: On Christmas Eve 1999, Pope John Paul II opened the Holy Door, celebrating two millennia of Christianity and inspiring hope for a new era.
2015 Jubilee of Mercy: In a historic moment, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in Bangui, Central African Republic, before inaugurating it at St. Peter’s Basilica alongside Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, emphasizing the Church’s mission of mercy.
As the Holy Year of 2025 approaches, Pope Francis was once again opened the Holy Door on Christmas Eve, inviting pilgrims from around the world to reflect on God’s love and salvation in Christ.
This enduring tradition serves as a beacon of faith and hope, guiding believers toward renewal and unity in an ever-changing world.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
