Tag: St Peter’s Basilica

More than half a million pilgrims crossed the threshold of the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in the first two weeks after Pope Francis opened it.

Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, launching what he called a “Jubilee of Hope” on 24 December, in a rite more than 500 years old. “Pilgrims of Hope” is the theme for the Holy Year 2025, which will run through to 6 January 2026.

As millions of pilgrims prepare to cross through the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis called on individuals, nations and the global community to take a transformative step toward peace and reconciliation by walking through the "door of salvation" that is Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis called on Catholics to focus their Holy Year 2025 pilgrimages on Jesus Christ, who is both the path and destination for Christian hope.

After almost six months of work, Michelangelo's Pieta is back in view and at the same time, better protected.

While world events can seem chaotic, violent and out of control, Christians can be certain that "everything is ultimately subject to the judgment of Christ, the just and merciful king," Pope Francis said at Mass.

Making an appeal to the entire Catholic Church, all world governments and international organisations, the pope said, "Please, let us not forget the poor."

Aimed at reaching out to people unable to go to Rome for the Holy Year and helping the millions who are expected to visit St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican teamed up with Microsoft and other specialised experts to create a "digital twin" of the church for an immersive and more meaningful experience.

The Vatican has inaugurated a new pilgrim centre which will serve as an information stop for those visiting St Peter's basilica.

Around 5,000 people participated in the closing Mass of the Synod in St Peter's Basilica, where they could admire Bernini's restored bronze canopy, or Baldacchino, for the first time.

The final session of the Synod on Synodality will open with Pope Francis asking for forgiveness. He has called for a penitential celebration on 1 October in St Peter's Basilica that he himself will preside over.

Pope Francis braved the heat to speak to over 50,000 altar servers from the International Association of altar boys and girls in St Peter's Square. The audience had made their pilgrimage from across Europe—mostly from Germany—with their theme "With you."