The news was announced in an official press release signed by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Bishop Rino Fisichella, who added: "This is a very significant beginning - the groups that crowd Via della Conciliazione are giving an important testimony, and this is also a sign of the great perception of safety and protection that pilgrims experience in the city of Rome and around the four papal Basilicas".
Passing through the Holy Door is, however, only one – perhaps the most evident and symbolic – of the steps that every pilgrim must take to truly complete the Jubilee pilgrimage and thus receive "the plenary indulgence". The other necessary conditions to be met are:
– Total detachment from every sin, even venial;
– Sacramental confession;
– Eucharistic Communion;
– Prayer for the Pope's intentions.
These conditions should be fulfilled a few days before or after the specific act required to obtain the indulgence, but it is preferable that Communion and prayer take place on the same day. The specific act requested is the "Pilgrimage to Rome", that is, visiting at least one of the four main papal basilicas: Saint Peter's Basilica, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and also the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
But in addition to the basilicas in the Eternal City, other churches and shrines offer the opportunity to receive indulgences: numerous other historical places of worship in Rome are available to pilgrims, linked to the figures of great saints, or the catacombs themselves; in Italy, we can mention the Basilica of Saint Francis and Saint Mary of the Angels (Assisi), the Basilica of the Holy House of Loreto, the Shrine of Pompeii, the Basilica of Saint Anthony (Padua); then there are the holy places in the Holy Land, such as the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem) and the Basilica of the Nativity (Bethlehem); but all over the world there are also numerous cathedrals, minor basilicas and Marian shrines designated by local bishops.
In this way, even those who cannot afford long and difficult journeys can knock on the doors of Divine Mercy and renew themselves in a regenerating path in the "Hope that does not disappoint".
It is also important to "Practise the works of mercy". Corporal and spiritual works of mercy are a privileged way to obtain an indulgence, which testifies to the conversion undertaken. Giving food to the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, dressing the naked, welcoming strangers, assisting the sick, visiting prisoners, burying the dead; as well as advising the doubtful, teaching the ignorant, admonishing sinners, consoling the afflicted, forgiving offences, patiently enduring harassing people, praying to God for the living and the dead, thus become, in addition to acts of true charity and fraternity, valid options to achieve plenary indulgence.
All this useful information to treasure this Holy Year can be found on the Holy See's website, in several languages:
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/05/13/0392/00808.html#ita
On the official website of the Jubilee 2025, you can also find all the information necessary for the various pilgrimages and the various dates of the major events that will bring the various groups together:
https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/it/giubileo-2025/segni-del-giubileo.html
For pilgrims to Rome, however, an interesting novelty is the "Pilgrim's Card", a free personal digital card required for participating in the Jubilee events and for organising their own pilgrimage to the Holy Door. The card is acquired only and exclusively by registering on the registration site which can be accessed through www.register.iubilaeum2025.va/user or through the official Jubilee app.
Veronica Giacometti
Source: ACI Stampa
