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 pope inaugurated the Catholic Church's historic 2025 Jubilee of "Hope" on Christmas Eve at the Vatican in traditional ceremonies before he addressed thousands of Catholic faithful.

On his wheelchair, Pope Francis began the celebration of Christmas by opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, kicking off the 2025 Holy Year. “The steps we now take are the steps of the whole church,” the pope said.

Ukrainian artist Yama Tarhonia has presented Pope Francis with a blue and yellow dove of peace made from a piece of stained glass from the Church of St Nicholas in Kyiv, which was damaged in a Russian attack on 20024.

The 88-year-old Pope Francis presided over Mass during the Night on Christmas Eve after opening the Holy Door to officially start the 2025 Jubilee Year.

According to Pope Francis, a bid to kill him during a 2021 visit to Iraq was foiled following a tip from British intelligence.

ANALYSIS: Typically, cardinals are assigned to a diocese or a role in the Roman Curia. But due to a variety of circumstances, others may wait years before they’re given some work to do.

Pope Francis jumped on a video call with Palestinians celebrating Christmas at the catholic church in Gaza on Tuesday. (via CNN Newsource)

Christians in Bethlehem marked a sombre Christmas as the ongoing war cast a shadow over the celebrations. Pope Francis led mass in the Vatican, urging reflection on the global conflicts affecting millions.

Opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica has been a fixture of the Catholic Church’s celebration of jubilee years since the Holy Year 1450, the Vatican said. Pope Francis chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme for the Jubilee Year 2025 ...

Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, by opening the 'Holy Door' of St Peter's Basilica, before a crowd of thousands of faithful. Premier Giorgia Meloni was among the officials present.