Already more than half a million pilgrims have come to participate in the Jubilee of Hope since Pope Francis inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee year on Christmas Eve.
According to a 7 January press release from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation, which is overseeing the organisation of the Jubilee, some 545,532 pilgrims from all over the world have already crossed through the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica since Pope Francis officially opened it during a ceremony on 24 December.
“Hundreds of groups of faithful have already made their pilgrimage, starting from the new Piazza Pia, with the Jubilee cross above their heads, and moving in prayer along the Via della Conciliazione, until reaching the basilica,” stated the press release, referring to the special pilgrim-path along the main street leading up to St. Peter’s Basilica.
