Pope opens the gates of St. Peter's...Declared the opening of the Jubilee year in 2025

Pope Francis opened the gates of the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve and declared the opening of the Catholic Jubilee in 2025.The 88-year-old pope of

in a wheelchair crossed the gate threshold into the Great Hall and held a Mass on Christmas Eve.

"The steps on our journey are the steps of churches around the world, pilgrims in the world and witnesses to peace," the pope said.

"When we cross the threshold, believers enter a time of mercy and forgiveness," he said, adding, "By crossing this threshold, we begin to walk the path of forgiveness for ourselves and others."

Jubilee means the 'Holy Year' in which a special spiritual grace is given to a believer in the Catholic Church, which is also called the coming of age.

The beginning and end of the jubilee are held in the ceremony of the Pope opening and closing the gates of St. Peter's Basilica, a special period of forgiveness and grace to believers passing through the gates, which will be open until January 6, 2026.

Roman city authorities predict that about 32 million pilgrims and tourists from around the world will visit Rome for the jubilee next year.

Italian political figures and cardinals, including Prime Minister Jorja Meloni, attended the opening ceremony of the gate to mark the beginning of the jubilee.

Thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square in the chilly weather to watch the ceremony on a large screen.

The motto for the jubilee of 2025 is 'Pilgrims of Hope', which Pope Francis himself chose.

The pope is expected to send a message calling for peace around the world, which has been embroiled in the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, over the jubilee year.

The ceremony was held under tighter security than ever in the aftermath of the recent Christmas market car crash in Germany.