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Two days after inaugurating the Holy Year 2025 by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis will visit a Rome prison to open another Holy Door as a symbol of hope for prisoners worldwide. The Vatican announced this initiative, highlighting its significance in spreading a message of hope.
On December 26, Pope Francis will go to Rebibbia prison, located on the outskirts of Rome. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization’s section for new evangelization and chief organizer of the Holy Year 2025, shared this information during a news conference on October 28. He described Rebibbia as "a symbol of all the prisons dispersed throughout the world."
The pope's schedule includes opening additional Holy Doors at major basilicas: St. John Lateran on December 29, St. Mary Major on January 1, and St. Paul Outside the Walls on January 5.
In his "bull of indiction," Pope Francis expressed concern for prisoners who endure daily hardships due to their confinement and called upon governments to initiate programs that restore hope during the Holy Year. He suggested expanding amnesty and social reintegration efforts.
Archbishop Fisichella also revealed that an agreement had been signed between the Vatican and Italy’s minister of justice along with Rome's government commissioner to implement reintegration programs involving incarcerated individuals during the Jubilee Year.
Leading up to this eventful year, cultural activities are planned in Rome, which expects around 30 million visitors. The Vatican has organized several events including a concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 on November 3, three art exhibitions featuring rare Christian icons from the Vatican Museums' collection in November and December, and a performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir two days before opening the Holy Door.
Additionally, Archbishop Fisichella introduced “Luce,” a cartoon pilgrim mascot for the Holy Year 2025 designed to engage youth through pop culture. Luce is depicted wearing a yellow raincoat with mud-stained boots and holding a pilgrim’s staff.
“Luce” will also represent the Holy See at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan from April to October under Italy's national pavilion theme “Beauty brings hope.” It will feature Caravaggio's painting “The Entombment of Christ,” housed in the Vatican Museums.
