Pope Francis to open 5 holy portals on Christmas Eve – in a ritual that has never been done before

Pope Francis will begin a centuries-old Catholic tradition on Christmas Eve and introduce a historic addition to the holy ritual for the first time.

Starting in December. On the 24th, the Pope will open a series of five Holy Doors throughout the Vatican, including St. Peter’s Basilica, plus Rome’s three other basilicas to begin next year’s Catholic Church jubilee – a joyous commemoration of the faith that usually occurs every 25 years.

The door to St. Peter’s has been bricked up since the Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy in 2016 and, in December. 2, they were torn to prepare the door for opening as part of the “recognition” rite.

After this Christmas Eve ritual, Pope Francis will open a symbolic door inside Rome’s Rebibbia prison in December. 26, the feast of St. Stephen.

It will be the first time a pope has opened a holy door in a prison, the Denver Catholic reported.

“I think of the prisoners who, deprived of their freedom, feel every day the severity of detention and its limitations, the lack of love and, in more than a few cases, the lack of respect,” Pope Francis said.

“To offer the prisoners a concrete sign of closeness, I myself would like to open a sacred door in a prison, as a sign inviting the prisoners to look towards the future with hope and a renewed sense of faith. “

The goal of opening the doors later this month is to usher in a year “renewed in hope” as Christians find Christ as “the door of our salvation,” Pope Francis wrote in a proclamation, or “significant bull” for the year 2025. one year celebration.

“The word of God helps us find reasons for this hope,” he added. “In every person’s heart, hope resides as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite the fact that we do not know what the future may bring.”

Sunday, December. On the 29th, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of Saint John Lateran, of which he is also the bishop.

Then, on New Year’s Day – also a holy day of obligation, the Solemnity of Mary – the Holy Door will be opened at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major outside the Vatican in Rome.

Last, Sunday, January. 5, Pope Francis will open the fifth and final Holy Door at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

The Catholic tradition of celebrating a jubilee began in the 1300s and was originally extended to every 100 years instead of 25.

For centuries, the holy doors have been opened in the four Roman basilicas to usher in memorable years for the church.

In modern times, Pope John Paul II also celebrated a jubilee in 2000, at the time writing about the importance of the Holy Doors in relation to one’s faith.

“Focusing on the door means remembering the responsibility of every believer to cross its threshold. To pass through that door is to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; it is to strengthen faith in him to live the new life he has given us”, writes John Paul II.

“It is a decision that presupposes the freedom to choose and also the courage to leave something behind, knowing that what is gained is divine life.”