2025Holy Year - Pilgrims of Hope - First Day Cover

A Jubilee Year or Holy Year is a special jubilee year in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Boniface VIII first proclaimed such a year for pilgrims to Rome in 1300. Since 1475, every 25th year has been celebrated as a jubilee year. The Holy Year 2025 began with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica on December 24, 2024. The motto is “Pilgrims of Hope”, picking up on a central theme of Pope Francis. The city of Rome is expecting around 45 million pilgrims and visitors.