The Vatican Jubilee of 2025

What is the 2025 Jubilee?

The term “Jubilee” comes from the Hebrew term “yobel,” which means “ram’s horn.” In Jewish tradition, the sound of the horn marked the beginning of a particular year of remission and forgiveness. The Catholic Church adopted this tradition and made it a year of pilgrimage, prayer, and reconciliation.

What is the History of the Jubilee?

The first Jubilee of the Catholic Church was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Since then, the Church has celebrated a Jubilee every 25 years unless the Pope decides to call an extraordinary Jubilee, as Pope Francis did in 2015.

Why is 2025 a Holy Year for the Catholic Church?

The official Vatican website for the Holy Year 2025 — www.iubilaeum2025.va — says, “In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a ‘Holy Year,’ since it is a time when God’s holiness transforms us.” The Jubilee is a time of forgiveness and reconciliation, with pilgrims worldwide flocking to Rome to celebrate the event. It is also a time of renewal and spiritual awakening, with the Pope and other religious leaders offering prayers, blessings, and ceremonies.

What is the Catholic pilgrimage for 2025?

Join the “Pilgrims of Hope” during the Holy Year 2025. Experience some of the world’s most fascinating religious sites and relics on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. Join the Jubilee, a tradition with biblical roots re-established in AD 1300.