Unlocking the sacred: What happens at the Holy Door for Jubilee 2025?

The Jubilee begins with a symbolic moment: the Pope opening the Holy Door, which this year took place on Christmas Eve.

The tradition, dating back to the 15th century, sees the Pope open the Holy Door and be the first to cross it. During the Holy Year, millions of pilgrims from around the world will follow, seeking plenary indulgence, or complete forgiveness of sins.

For Pope Francis, this is his second time leading the Jubilee, having previously overseen the 2015 Jubilee of Mercy.

How the Holy Door is opened

The 2025 Jubilee, themed on hope this year, began in St Peter’s Square. This was not always the case, as historically, the only Holy Door was at the Basilica of St John Lateran, the official seat of the Bishop of Rome.

The door carries deep symbolism rooted in the Gospel (John 10:7-9): “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door: if anyone enters through me, he will be saved; he will go in and out and find pasture.’”

After the Pope’s official announcement in May, which set the start and end dates for the Holy Year, the first step towards the Jubilee was the recognition of the Holy Door.

Between Jubilees, the key to the lock is kept inside the wall that seals the door from the inside. The practice of sealing the Holy Door with masonry is an ancient tradition, where, until a few decades ago, the Pope would use a hammer to create a gap in the bricks. This practice was later discontinued for security reasons.

The next step is the opening of the Holy Door, which this year took place on the evening of 24 December. The ceremony, held in Italian and Latin, ends in the atrium of St Peter’s with the Pope saying, “Aperite mihi portas iustitiae” (Open to me the doors of justice), and the congregation replying, “Ingressus in eas, confitebor Domino” (Having entered them, I will confess to the Lord).

The Pontiff then silently climbs the steps — assisted by a platform due to his age of 88. He pushes the doors open with his hands while two attendants pull them from the inside, before kneeling as the concelebrants praise him.

What happens after the Jubilee opening and when does it conclude?

The first Jubilee, established in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, was originally held every century. However, this was soon changed to every 50 years, and from 1475, every 25 years, with occasional extraordinary Jubilees, such as the 1933 Holy Year of Redemption and the 2015-16 Holy Year of Mercy.

The current Holy Door at St Peter’s, crafted in 1949 and gifted by Switzerland, is decorated with four bronze panels that depict the story of humanity, from original sin to the resurrection of Christ.

The Holy Door at St Peter’s is not the only one open to the faithful. In the coming days, the doors of Rome’s other major basilicas — St John Lateran, St Mary Major, and St Paul Outside the Walls — will also be opened, along with a special Holy Door at Rebibbia prison, marking a historic first.

“Afterwards, a year-long period will begin, ending on 6 January 2026 with the closing of St Peter’s Holy Door. This rite, which runs for the entire year, happens every 25 years to ensure that each generation can experience this time of forgiveness,” Francesco Scalzotto, Official of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, told Euronews.

Over 30 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome and the Vatican for the Jubilee.