Pope Francis officially inaugurated the Holy Year 2025 during the Christmas Eve service at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he opened the Holy Door. In his address, the 88-year-old pontiff urged followers to embrace hope and courage, referencing the story of Jesus’ birth as a source of inspiration. The event saw participation from around 6,000 attendees inside the Basilica and 25,000 outside via screens, marking the start of a year dedicated to spiritual renewal and reflection under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’