Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the beginning of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis will visit a Rome prison to open another Holy Door as a "tangible sign of the message of hope" for inmates worldwide, according to an announcement from the Vatican.

On December 26, Pope Francis is scheduled to go to Rebibbia prison on Rome's outskirts. This location is seen as "a symbol of all the prisons dispersed throughout the world," where he will deliver a hopeful message to prisoners, stated Archbishop Rino Fisichella. Archbishop Fisichella serves as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization’s section for new evangelization and is also the chief organizer of the Holy Year 2025. He shared this information during a news conference on October 28.

The pope plans to open several Holy Doors in major basilicas: St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, St. John Lateran on December 29, St. Mary Major on January 1, and St. Paul Outside the Walls on January 5.

In his formal proclamation document for the Holy Year 2025, known as a “bull of indiction,” Pope Francis expressed his intention to keep prisoners close to his heart during this time. He acknowledged that those deprived of their freedom often face harsh conditions and lack affection or respect.

The pope has urged governments to "undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope" for incarcerated individuals during this period by considering amnesty expansions and social reintegration programs.

Archbishop Fisichella announced that an agreement had been reached between the Vatican, Italy's minister of justice, and Rome's government commissioner. This agreement aims to implement reintegration programs involving prisoner participation in activities during the Jubilee Year.

Leading up to this significant year, various cultural events are planned in Rome, which anticipates welcoming around 30 million visitors. These include a concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in Rome on November 3; three art exhibitions featuring rare Christian icons from the Vatican Museums' collection; and a performance by the Sistine Chapel Choir two days before opening the Holy Door.

Additionally, Archbishop Fisichella introduced "Luce," the official mascot for Holy Year 2025—a cartoon pilgrim with glowing eyes shaped like scallop shells symbolizing pilgrimage and hope—reflecting an effort by the church "to live even within pop culture so beloved by our youth."

"Luce" will also represent at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan from April through October as part of Italy's national pavilion themed “Beauty brings hope.” The exhibit will feature Caravaggio's painting “The Entombment of Christ,” housed in Vatican Museums.