Hope Does Not Disappoint: The Catholic Jubilee Year 2025

Imagine the whole world being invited to a year-long celebration of hope, starting Christmas Eve 2024. Pope Francis chose the theme “Spes non Confundit” (Hope Does Not Disappoint) because he sees how much we all need real, lasting hope right now.

The opening of the Holy Doors is a powerful Catholic tradition that marks the beginning of a Jubilee Year. Here’s how it works:

There are four Holy Doors in Rome:

• St. Peter’s Basilica
• St. John Lateran
• St. Mary Major
• St. Paul Outside the Walls

On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis performed a ritual at St. Peter’s: He knocked three times on the sealed door with a silver hammer, then the door – normally sealed with brick and mortar – was opened. As it opened, the Pope led a procession through it.

This ritual symbolizes opening a special path to spiritual renewal. Catholics believe walking through a Holy Door during the Jubilee Year, along with prayer and confession, can give them a fresh spiritual start (called a plenary indulgence).

Throughout 2025, these doors remain open for pilgrims. When the Jubilee ends, they’re ceremonially sealed again until the next Holy Year.

Many local cathedrals worldwide will also designate special Holy Doors, making the Jubilee accessible to those who can’t travel to Rome.

The tradition dates back to 1423, when Pope Martin V first opened a Holy Door at St. John Lateran.

This Jubilee isn’t just happening in Rome – though millions will travel there to walk through special Holy Doors. It’s happening everywhere, because hope needs to spread everywhere. Think of it like a global wave of positive change.

The Pope’s saying hope isn’t just optimistic feelings – it’s much deeper. For Catholics, it starts with Baptism and grows through faith and love. It’s like a plant with really deep roots that can weather any storm. When life gets tough, these roots keep you standing.

Here’s what makes this Jubilee special: it’s calling everyone to be “pilgrims of hope.” What’s a pilgrim? Someone on a journey with purpose. The Pope wants people to:

• Work for peace and justice, especially helping those who are struggling
• Share Earth’s resources fairly (including forgiving debts that keep people in poverty)
• Be there for people who are sick, in prison, or dying
• Care for our environment

There’s also a big anniversary happening during the Jubilee – 1700 years since the Council of Nicaea, a super important meeting that helped shape Christianity. The Pope’s using this anniversary to remind everyone that we’re stronger when we work together and share our faith with others.

The coolest part? Pope Francis says we shouldn’t let our mistakes make us give up hope. He shared something really important: “God forgives everything, God forgives always. We are the ones who tire of asking for forgiveness.” It’s like saying – don’t let past mistakes stop you from hoping for better things.

He also wants us to notice the good stuff happening in the world. Sure, there’s bad news everywhere, but there’s also amazing kindness and goodness if we look for it. These good things are like road signs pointing to hope.

For Catholics, all this hope is anchored in believing that Jesus rose from the dead, showing that good can overcome anything – even death. But even if you’re not Catholic, the message is universal: together, we can make things better if we don’t give up hope.