You may have heard about the Holy Year in relation to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the Camino de Santiago. As you may know, the Holy Year of Compostela is a very important celebration in Santiago de Compostela and throughout Christendom. However, and of course, there is also the Roman Jubilee, the Holy Year in Rome. The Eternal City is the center of Christendom and the seat of the Pope. Following the “Great Jubilee” of the year 2000 and the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, the next Jubilee of the 21st century will be celebrated in 2025. Want to know what it is and what makes it special? Keep reading!
Logo of the Roman Jubilee 2025
What is the Jubilee of Rome?
The Jubilee is a special time in the Catholic Church. The Roman Jubilee, or Jubilee of Rome, which is celebrated in Rome, the center of the Catholic Church, has great spiritual significance for Catholics. During this celebration, pilgrims will be able to walk and travel to Rome to receive the special blessing of the Jubilee, cross the Holy Door, and obtain indulgences.
In fact, pilgrims to Rome are given a specific name: unlike pilgrims who go to Santiago de Compostela, those traveling to Rome are called romeros. At the same time, the Roman Holy Year is also celebrated in Jerusalem, where those who visit the Holy Land are called palmeros.
The skyline of Jerusalem
The Roman Jubilee is a Catholic tradition that symbolizes forgiveness, mercy, and a return to God. It is a time of spiritual renewal, bringing together thousands of romeros from all over the world to celebrate faith and receive the Church’s blessing.
When will the Roman Jubilee take place in 2025?
The Roman Jubilee will be celebrated in 2025. Although the event calendar will unfold throughout 2025, the Holy Year will begin in December 2024, as is the case in Santiago de Compostela. This marks the start of a year filled with religious celebrations and reflection for all Catholics, which will conclude in January 2026, giving you a full year to experience it if you choose to join the pilgrimage.
Presentation of the Roman Jubilee 2025
When does the Holy Door of the Jubilee open in 2025?
The Holy Door of Rome is a very important symbol of the Jubilee. This door is located in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Every time a Jubilee is celebrated, a special door is opened, symbolizing the Church’s invitation to enter a time of forgiveness and renewal. The opening of the Holy Door of Rome will take place on December 24, 2024, and it will close on January 6, 2026.
Originally, there was the Holy Door of St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral and seat of the bishop of Rome, the Pope himself. However, due to the large number of faithful coming to Rome to cross the Holy Door, other basilicas in Rome decided to open their doors to serve the many pilgrims.
The Pope on duty is the great host of the Roman Jubilee Year
Therefore, currently, several Holy Doors will open in Rome between December 2024 and January 2025. Here are the different opening dates for the Holy Doors:
- December 24, 2024: Opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
- December 26, 2024: Opening of the Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison.
- December 29, 2024: Opening of the Holy Door at St. John Lateran.
- January 1, 2025: Opening of the Holy Door at St. Mary Major.
- January 5, 2025: Opening of the Holy Door at St. Paul Outside the Walls.
What does the Jubilee consist of?
The Jubilee is more than just a religious event. It is a time to celebrate God’s mercy, faith, and the unity of the Catholic Church. During the Roman Jubilee of 2025, Catholics will be able to carry out a series of religious and spiritual acts to obtain a plenary indulgence, which cleanses them of their sins and brings them closer to God.
Those who travel to Rome during this special year will be able to walk along the Jubilee Path, a series of routes leading to sacred places in the city, as well as make a pilgrimage to the seven major basilicas in Rome.
Pilgrim card to Rome for the Roman Jubilee 2025
Program and Calendar of the Jubilee
In 2025, there will be a variety of religious events and celebrations, such as masses, prayers, processions, and more, as well as cultural activities like conferences, international meetings, exhibitions, and concerts.
It is important to know that you must request a Pilgrim’s Card to register for various celebrations, events, and activities. For example, it is required to access the different Holy Doors. Additionally, a special visa will be provided so that pilgrims from all over the world can travel and attend this grand celebration.
If you want to know more, we recommend visiting the official website of the Roman Jubilee 2025.
The first testimonies about the Plenary Indulgence, related to the Jubilee Year, appear around the 11th century, although there are older antecedents.
History of the Roman Jubilee
The Jubilee, also known as the Holy Year, has its roots in the Jewish tradition, where the “yōbēl” year (or “jubilee year”) was celebrated every 50 years with the sound of a horn, announcing the forgiveness of debts and the liberation of slaves.
In the Christian context, the first Jubilee was called by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, and it was initially celebrated every 100 years. However, in 1343, Pope Clement VI reduced the period to 50 years, and in 1470, Pope Paul II set it to every 25 years. In 1389, Pope Urban VI tried to establish a 33-year cycle, recalling the life of Christ, calling for a Jubilee in 1390, although it was celebrated by Boniface IX after his death.
The last 50-year Jubilee was called by Pope Nicholas V in 1450, before Pope Paul II reduced the cycle again to 25 years. After the interruptions caused by the Napoleonic wars, Jubilees resumed in 1875, after the annexation of Rome to the Kingdom of Italy, although without the traditional solemnity.
The bishop of Santiago de Compostela is in charge of opening the Holy Door of the cathedral
Other Jubilees
In addition to Rome, many other places in the world also celebrate their Holy Year, such as Santiago de Compostela and its Holy Year Jacobeo. Other well-known Jubilees in Spain include:
- Holy Year Jacobeo of Gáldar: Functions like the Jacobean Holy Year in Compostela but in the Temple of Santiago de Gáldar, on the island of Gran Canaria.
- Lebaniego Jubilee Year: Celebrated whenever April 16th, the feast of Saint Toribio de Liébana, falls on a Sunday.
- Caravaca de la Cruz Jubilee Year: Celebrated every 7 years since 2003, although it existed earlier.
Cross of Santiago
The Roman Jubilee 2025 will be a unique occasion for Catholics around the world, marked by moments of faith, spiritual renewal, and unity. During this Holy Year, pilgrims will have the chance to experience profound forgiveness and reconciliation by crossing the Holy Doors of Rome, receiving indulgences, and participating in a variety of religious and cultural events.
This Jubilee not only highlights the spiritual importance of Rome but also reminds us of the rich tradition of jubilees in Christian history, connecting the faithful with a legacy of centuries of devotion and pilgrimage.
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