Rome, 25 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Pope Francis on Tuesday opened the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, marking the official beginning of the Jubilee year of the Catholic Church.

In a Christmas Eve ceremony rich with symbolism, the 88-year-old pontiff, who is using a wheelchair due to a severe knee condition, knocked several times on the heavy bronze door. Helpers then opened it from the inside.

Shortly before, Francis paused for a moment in silent prayer while sitting at the threshold of the door. Once the door was opened, he was wheeled across the threshold into the basilica.

Following the pope, 10 children from around the world, each dressed in traditional attire, crossed the threshold of the Holy Door. They were followed by 54 worshippers from various countries.

"Brothers and sisters, at the Lord's Christmas, we prepare to enter the Holy Door in faith," said Francis.

"The steps of our journey are the steps of the whole Church, a pilgrim in the world and a witness to peace," he added.

By crossing the threshold, believers enter the "time of mercy and forgiveness," the pontiff said.

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church celebrates a special year known as a Jubilee.

During a Jubilee, the Catholic faithful can attain indulgence for their sins through prayer and penance. This also includes pilgrimage to Rome and passing through the Holy Doors.

The 2025 Jubilee officially ends on January 6, 2026.

The last regular Jubilee took place in 2000.

The pope can deviate from the 25-year cycle, established in 1475, by declaring extraordinary jubilees. This last occurred in 2015-16 when Francis opened the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.

Rome to welcome over 30 million visitors during Jubilee

Italy's capital expects an unprecedented influx of visitors for the 2025 Jubilee: the city administration anticipates more than 30 million pilgrims and tourists during the major Catholic event.

For Rome, which already struggles with mass tourism in normal times, this will be a significant challenge.

Following the attack on a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, Italian authorities have also revised their security plans.

On Christmas Eve, the area around the Vatican was heavily guarded, and St Peter's Square could only be accessed after a security check. Snipers were also deployed.

During the 2025 Jubilee, numerous special audiences, events and celebrations with the pope are planned in the Vatican.

Despite his advanced age and health issues, Francis intends to follow the demanding schedule as planned.

The 88-year-old Argentinian is now the second-oldest pope in history. Just before Christmas, the pontiff was troubled by a cold.

Pope urges faithful to embrace hope in Christmas Mass sermon

Following the opening of the Jubilee, Pope Francis urged the faithful during the traditional Christmas Mass to bring hope as "pilgrims of light into the darkness of the world."

Francis said in his Christmas Eve sermon at St Peter's Basilica that Christmas, as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is a fitting occasion not to lose hope.

"Hope is not dead, hope lives and envelops our lives forever!" said the pontiff.

In his sermon, Francis said: "This is the night when the door of hope has opened wide for the world.

"This is the night when God says to each individual: There is hope for you too!"

He recently called for a Christmas truce in the face of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

In Bethlehem, traditionally the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the festivities are expected to be rather subdued this year due to the Gaza war.

The procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and the Midnight Mass in Bethlehem are to take place as usual.

However, festive decorations in the small town in the West Bank and the lighting of a Christmas tree in front of the Church of the Nativity are to be avoided.

Photo: EPA