As part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year celebrations, Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at a prison in Rome on Thursday, delivering a powerful message of hope and forgiveness to inmates.
“Do not lose hope; that is the message I want to give you,” the 88-year-old pontiff told the prisoners during the ceremony.
The act of opening a Holy Door in a prison carries deep symbolic significance. Known for his advocacy of forgiveness and the reintegration of convicted criminals into society, Pope Francis continues to emphasize compassion and grace.
Arriving in a wheelchair, the pope paused for a moment of silent reflection before rising with the assistance of a walking stick. He approached the prison gate, knocking several times before helpers raised it from the inside. He then stepped through the massive doorway, a gesture symbolizing the passage into grace and reconciliation.
Despite appearing fatigued in recent public appearances, the pope seemed at ease during the prison visit. He spoke informally, departing from prepared remarks to connect personally with inmates and staff. After the ceremony, he engaged directly with several attendees, offering words of encouragement.
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This unprecedented event followed Pope Francis’s ceremonial unsealing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, marking the opening of the Holy Year 2025.
The Catholic Church celebrates a jubilee every 25 years, during which believers who pass through the Holy Doors after penance and communion receive indulgences or remission of sins.
According to Vatican News, this was the first time in Church history that a Holy Door had been opened in a prison, underscoring the pope’s commitment to inclusivity and his call for mercy.
(NAN)
