What is a Jubilee?

In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee Year was used to declare special years for forgiveness and reconciliation as expressions of God's infinite mercy. Typically they concluded with pilgrimages to Holy sites. Jubilee Years come every 25 years, an interval set by Pope Saint Paul II in the 1500s.

A year of hope and trust

The 2025 Jubilee Year with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” is to be a year of hope and trust for a world suffering from war, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased threats of climate change. 

Call to conversion and restoration

The forthcoming Jubilee is intended to be a call of conversion and contribute to restoring universal fraternity, human dignity through aleviation of poverty, compassion for refugees, access to resources for all members of society, care for creation.

Opening of the Holy Doors in December 2024

The Ordinary Jubilee will begin with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Doors in December 2024. The specific opening and closing dates we will be set out in the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee, which will be published according to tradition at the Feast of the Ascension, May 9, 2024.

Pilgrimages

Each of the four papal basilicas in Rome will be destination points for pilgrims, seeking special graces. In addition the traditional seven churches of St. Philip Neri will be pilgramage points as well as churches dedicated to the Women Doctors of the Church and Patrons of Europe. Tools are being prepared to guide pilgrims in Rome and promote knowledge of the works of art in the various churches. Learn more here.