Pope Francis opens Holy Year at Christmas Eve Mass, calls for global hope and justice

Pope Francis celebrated his 12th Christmas as pontiff, emphasizing hope and transformation during a solemn Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. The ceremony marked the opening of the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, which the Vatican expects will draw 32 million pilgrims to Rome.

Key Highlights:

• Message of Hope: Pope Francis encouraged rejecting mediocrity and striving for change, aligning with the Jubilee theme of renewal.
• Jubilee Significance: Running until January 6, 2026, the Jubilee offers spiritual renewal, indulgences, and a focus on forgiveness. Pilgrims will pass through the Holy Door, opened by Francis, with up to 100,000 visitors expected daily.
• Call for Debt Relief: Echoing Pope John Paul II’s 2000 Jubilee, Francis urged developed nations to reduce debts for low-income countries, highlighting the Jubilee’s potential for global justice.
• Christmas Day Address: Despite a raspy voice from a cold, the 88-year-old pontiff appeared well and will deliver his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on Christmas Day.

The Holy Year theme, rooted in hope, extends an invitation for spiritual and societal transformation.

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