Pilgrims pass through the holy door at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls on Jan. 5, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
CNA Newsroom, Feb 13, 2025 / 07:30 am (CNA).
SincePopeFrancismarkedthebeginningofthe2025Jubileeyear,1.3millionpeoplehavepassedthroughtheHolyDoorofSt.Peter’sBasilicaintheVatican,accordingtoArchbishopRinoFisichella,pro-prefectfortheNewEvangelizationsectionoftheDicasteryforEvangelization.
FisichellamadetheannouncementataFeb.7pressconferencefortheJubileeoftheArmedForces.Thearchbishoppointedout,however,thatthenumbersofpilgrims“arenotacriterionofvalidityforthesuccessoftheJubilee.Whatcountsiswhatisintheheartsofpeople.”
HolydoorsareusuallyonlydesignatedinthefourpapalbasilicasinRome—St.Peter’sintheVatican,St.JohnLateran,St.MaryMajorandSt.PaulOutsidetheWalls.Butthisyear,PopeFranicsalsoopenedanotherlocationatRebibbiaprisoninRome.
BesidestheHolyDoors,otherfactorshavecontributedtothehighnumberofpeoplevisitingRomeandotherpartsofItalytotakepartinthisyear’scelebration.
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