1.3 million through St Peter’s holy doors in jubilee

By CathNews New Zealand

February 17th, 2025

Since the start of the Jubilee Year 2025, 1.3 million people have passed through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica. Source: Catholic News Agency.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect for the New Evangelisation section of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, announced the number at a press conference on February 7.

Holy Doors are usually only designated in the four papal basilicas in Rome — St Peter’s in the Vatican, St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls. But Pope Francis has also opened another location at Rebibbia prison in Rome for this holy year.

The numbers passing through a holy door are counted at St Peter’s Basilica. Numbers are not being tallied from the other papal sites.

Archbishop Fisichella said that the number of pilgrims is “not a criterion of validity for the success of the jubilee. What counts is what is in the hearts of people”.

The first months of the year are low season for visitors in the Italian capital, so the number of people passing through the holy door can be considered as high.

Visitors to Rome are expected to increase markedly during the jubilee, and especially at Easter time.

Two key occasions will be the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis on April 27, during the Jubilee of Teenagers, and the canonisation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati during the Jubilee of Youth from July 28 – August 3. About 2 million people could be expected for those days alone.

Blessed Carlo and Blessed Pier Giorgio are two young Catholics noted for their vibrant faith and witness to holiness during their short lives.

The jubilee will continue until January 6, 2026, and it is anticipated that more than 30 million pilgrims will make the religious journey to Rome during the holy year.

FULL STORY

1.3 million pilgrims pass through St. Peter’s Holy Door in jubilee’s first month | Catholic News Agency (By Tessa Gervasini/ Catholic News Agency)

New pilgrim numbers: Nearly 1.5 million have already crossed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s – Rome Reports (Rome Reports)

Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati to be canonized in 2025: Pope Francis makes surprise announcement | Catholic News Agency (Catholic News Agency)

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Opening of the Year of Jubilee | Diocese of Palmerston North (Diocese of Palmerston North)

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