Pope Francis kicked off the Holy Year in a deeply meaningful and symbolic way on Thursday, beginning his celebrations at Rome’s Rebibbia prison. His visit was not just ceremonial—it was a powerful message of hope for the incarcerated individuals who often feel forgotten by society. This marks the beginning of the Catholic Church's once-in-a-quarter-century Jubilee year, an event that draws millions of pilgrims from around the world to Rome. The Pope’s decision to start the celebrations with the prisoners underscored his deep commitment to addressing the marginalized and offering a message of compassion.
As he arrived at the prison, Pope Francis, who typically uses a wheelchair due to age-related health issues, made a remarkable gesture. He rose from his wheelchair, knocked on the chapel door at Rebibbia, and entered, symbolically reenacting the moment he had experienced just two nights earlier at St. Peter’s Basilica when he opened the Holy Door on Christmas Eve. That moment marked the official beginning of the Jubilee year, a long-standing tradition that dates back to 1300. While this ritual usually invites pilgrims into St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope chose to emphasize the importance of those on the fringes by inaugurating it at a prison—a striking statement that these individuals, too, are worthy of God's grace and attention.
Before stepping inside the chapel, Pope Francis spoke to the prisoners, sharing his heartfelt thoughts. “I wanted each of us here, inside and out, to have the possibility of throwing open the door of our hearts,” he said, stressing the idea that hope is something that never disappoints. The message was clear: no matter where you are or how difficult your situation may seem, hope is a vital force that can guide you forward.
This theme of hope is central to the 2025 Jubilee, which the Pope dedicated entirely to this profound concept. He explained that the prisoners would play a significant role in the Jubilee year, with a special Mass planned for them on December 14, 2025, at St. Peter’s. This is a part of Pope Francis' ongoing effort to highlight the importance of prison ministry. Since becoming Pope in 2013, he has visited Rebibbia multiple times and has even included prison visits during his foreign trips, using every opportunity to remind inmates—and by extension, society—of the power of redemption and hope.
The message of hope resonated even more deeply in the context of Italy’s current prison system. Overcrowding and high suicide rates have made Italy's jails a focus of international concern. According to the Antigone Association, which monitors prison conditions, 88 prisoners committed suicide this year alone—setting a grim record. Additionally, the nation’s prison population is 132% above capacity. These statistics paint a stark picture of the harsh realities many prisoners face. Yet, Pope Francis’ words offer a lifeline, urging those behind bars to cling to hope as an anchor that can steady them during their darkest moments.
In his homily, Pope Francis asked the prisoners to imagine hope as an anchor fixed firmly in the ground, with a rope attached to it. Despite the pain that holding onto the rope might cause, he urged them to never let go. “Hold onto the rope of hope, hold onto the anchor,” he proclaimed. “Never let it go.” This metaphor captured the essence of what he was trying to convey: Hope may not always be easy to grasp, but it is essential for survival and transformation.
Reflecting on his message later to reporters, the Pope shared a deeply personal thought: whenever he addresses prisoners, he always wonders, “Why them and not me?” It is a question that highlights the Pope’s humility and his awareness that anyone, under the right circumstances, can fall victim to a system that does not always show mercy. His focus, however, remains on the resilience of the human spirit, and he reminded everyone that while everyone is susceptible to hardship, hope is the one thing that can help a person rise above.
Outside, as he continued to speak to the media, Pope Francis reiterated that the prison, while a "cathedral of pain," is also a "cathedral of hope." It is in places like this, he noted, that the power of hope becomes even more evident. His visit to Rebibbia prison was just one part of a busy Christmas week, which also saw the Pope deliver his Christmas Day blessing and hold a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. For the 88-year-old pontiff, whose health can be fragile—especially during the cold winter months—this busy schedule was no small feat.
Looking ahead, Pope Francis’ 2025 Jubilee will be packed with numerous events aimed at different groups of people, each representing a particular aspect of life in the modern world. He plans to hold special Masses for adolescents, teachers, migrants, law enforcement officers, and others. But despite the demanding schedule, the Pope’s message remains consistent: hope is universal and can provide comfort and strength, no matter the individual’s circumstances.
Another important theme the Pope addressed during his visit was the issue of global debt. As he has often done before, Francis called for wealthy nations to forgive or at least significantly reduce the debts of poorer countries, calling the existing financial burdens “unsustainable.” He noted that one of the central tenets of the Jubilee is the remission of debts—a concept that dates back to biblical times. In the spirit of this tradition, the Pope suggested that now is the time for rich nations to take responsibility and help relieve the economic pressures on the world’s most vulnerable.
This visit to Rebibbia was a poignant reminder of the broader spiritual and social challenges of the day. While Pope Francis often focuses on the global issues of poverty, war, and inequality, his attention to the prison system and the marginalized serves as a continual call for empathy and justice. As he prepares for a year filled with demanding commitments, including a planned visit to Turkey to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, his leadership shows no sign of slowing down.
In sum, the Pope’s visit to Rebibbia prison was far more than just a symbolic gesture. It was a powerful reminder of the universal need for hope, especially for those most in need of it. Whether through his words of encouragement to the inmates or his larger calls for global justice and peace, Pope Francis continues to lead with compassion and conviction. As we look ahead to the Jubilee year and all the events it will bring, one thing is certain: the message of hope will continue to echo, inspiring millions to open the doors of their hearts, just as the Pope opened the doors of the basilica and the prison chapel.
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