Information about the Jubilee
The Jubilee is a solemnity of the Catholic Church, now celebrated every 25 years. For special reasons, the Pope may declare Extraordinary Jubilees, during which he grants remission of the temporal penalties due for mortal sins that have already been forgiven in confession.
The origin of the Jubilee is biblical, as can be seen in Leviticus 25:1-17. The year of Jubilee begins with the sounding of the trumpet, called “jobel” in Hebrew, from which the name Jubilee derives. Ancient legislation provided for the practice of liberating slaves and returning properties every seven years.
Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 proclaimed the first Jubilee, also known as the “Holy Year,” because it is a time in which one experiences that God’s Holiness transforms us. The frequency of the Jubilee changed over time: initially, it was celebrated every 100 years; it became every 50 years in 1343 with Pope Clement VI and every 25 years in 1470 with Pope Paul II. The way of celebrating these years also evolved: at first, the pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul was the central practice. Later, additional symbols were introduced, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one experiences the plenary indulgence.
The Holy Door holds particular significance: it is the most characteristic symbol, as the goal is to be able to pass through it. Its opening by the Pope marks the official beginning of the Holy Year. The act of passing through the Holy Door symbolizes that each person’s path of conversion has come to meet Christ, the “Door” that unites us to the Father. The Door is always open to those who convert. It is the place of encounter and dialogue, of reconciliation and peace, waiting for the visit of each pilgrim, and is the space of the Church as a community of the faithful.
Jubilee of 2025
The beginning of the Jubilee is marked by the opening of the Holy Door, which will take place on December 24, 2024.
Throughout the Jubilee Year, various events and pilgrimages are organized.
The main pilgrimages are:
- Papal Basilicas
- The Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches
- Iter Europaeum
- Patroness Women of Europe and Doctors of the Church
The event calendar and detailed information can be found on the Jubilee website:
Pilgrim’s Card
To participate in the Jubilee events and organize a pilgrimage to the Holy Door, it is necessary to have the Pilgrim’s Card.
The Pilgrim’s Card is a free, digital, and personal card.
To obtain the Pilgrim’s Card, you must register on the registration portal, which is accessible on the website https://register.iubilaeum2025.va/registration or through the official Jubilee app. After entering your details, pilgrims will receive a personal QR code and will have an account in the app.
Once you have obtained the Pilgrim’s Card and logged in with your account from the website or the app, you can register for the pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter and all major Jubilee events. This registration ensures better organization of access to both the Holy Door of St. Peter and the main Jubilee events, for which a large number of pilgrims are expected. The portal allows individual or group registration, the communication of specific needs due to disability, changes or cancellations of reservations, and management of the time, day, and month of the pilgrimage.
In addition to the basic Pilgrim’s Card, you can acquire, by paying a set fee, a Pilgrim’s Card with access to additional services. This card includes a subscription to an integrated service package offering discounts on transport, accommodation, and meals. These discounts also apply to museums, cultural events, and urban mobility. Each pilgrim who subscribes to the service card will be assigned a new QR code that integrates the basic Pilgrim’s Card with the additional service package.
Jubilee 2025 Volunteer
It is possible to submit your application to become a volunteer for the Jubilee 2025. To apply, you need to register on the portal and fill out the form available in the reserved area.
In the reserved area, you can indicate the weeks and Jubilee events for which you are available to serve as a volunteer.
Detailed information:
For further inquiries: volunteers@iubilaeum2025.va
