The Holy Door at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls was opened on Sunday morning to mark the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025.
Cardinal James Michael Harvey, the basilica’s archpriest, performed the rite. This was the fifth and final holy door opening for Jubilee Year, which began on Christmas Eve when Pope Francis opened the holy door at St Peter’s Basilica.
Subsequent openings included the Holy Door at Rebibbia prison on 26 December, and at the papal basilicas of San Giovanni in Laterano and Santa Maria Maggiore on 29 December and 1 January, respectively.
The holy doors at the papal basilicas will remain open throughout the Jubilee Year. The faithful have the chance to receive a plenary indulgence by passing through them.
The city is currently redeveloping the grounds around St Paul’s Outside the Walls. Plans include new walkways, green spaces, and a tourist information point, with completion expected in March.
Rome anticipates more than 30 million visitors during the Jubilee Year.
What is the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls?
The Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls is one of Rome’s four papal basilicas and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Located on the Via Ostiense, it marks the traditional burial site of St Paul the Apostle. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it later expanded into one of Christendom’s largest churches.
A devatsating fire in 1823 led to a rebuild of much of the structure, however it retains its historic charm. It features stunning mosaics, intricate cloisters, and the ancient tomb of St Paul. The basilica remains a major pilgrimage destination and an architectural treasure of Rome.
