The Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica

Calling this year “a gift of grace”, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica after celebrating Mass for more than 50,000 people on this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter’s Square, thus inaugurating the Jubilee of Mercy.

Vatican Radio is reporting that even though it’s a rainy day in Rome, joy filled the air as the Pope commenced the long-awaited Jubilee Year. An enormous crowd attended Mass, including the President and Prime Minister of Italy, Sergio Mattarella and Matteo Renzi; as well as King Albert II of Belgium with Queen Paola.

“This Extraordinary Holy Year is itself a gift of grace,” the pope said in his homily. “To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them. This will be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy.”

He then quoted St. Augustine when he said, “How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy. But that is the truth. We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God’s judgement will always be in the light of his mercy.”

He added: “In passing through the Holy Door, then, may we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of love. Let us set aside all fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved. Instead, let us experience the joy of encountering that grace which transforms all things.”

Various news agencies are reporting that pilgrims are now flocking through the Holy Doors in droves, making them eligible to obtain a plenary indulgence if certain conditions are met.

Click here to read the full text of the pope’s homily.

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