Pope opens St Peter's Holy Door to kick off Jubilee 2025

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 25 - Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, by opening the 'Holy Door' of St Peter's Basilica, before a crowd of thousands of faithful.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the officials present.
    By walking through the Holy Door over the next 12 months, Catholics will be able to obtain a 'plenary indulgence' for their sins.
    "The opening of the Holy Door on #Christmas Eve symbolises a passage—an Easter of renewal—to enter into the new life offered to us through the encounter with Christ," the Argentine pontiff said via X earlier on Tuesday.
    In the coming days, holy doors will also be opened at Rome's Rebibbia prison and at the Italian capital's three other major basilicas - St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
    The Jubilee, which features a rich programme of shows, conferences, concerts and religious events, is expected to bring over 30 million pilgrims to Rome. (ANSA).