Joshua Bennett
The Holy Door is a central symbol in Catholic tradition, representing the passage from sin to grace and a deeper connection with Christ. There are four Holy Doors in Rome, located in four major churches: St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These doors are only opened during Holy Years, also known as Jubilees, which occur every 25 years or so, with additional special Jubilees occasionally proclaimed by the Pope. During these years, pilgrims pass through the Holy Doors to receive indulgences and spiritual renewal. The Pope himself opens the door at St. Peter's Basilica, which is considered the most important as it symbolizes the gateway to the heart of the Catholic Church. In recent years, the tradition has expanded beyond Rome, with Holy Doors designated in various dioceses and pilgrimage sites around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Holy Doors | 4 in Rome, but there are others around the world |
| Location of the 4 Holy Doors in Rome | St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls |
| When are the Holy Doors opened? | During Holy Years (Jubilee Years), which occur every 25 years, or when proclaimed by the Pope |
| What is the significance of the Holy Doors? | They represent the passage to salvation and a deeper connection with Christ |
| What is required to receive a plenary indulgence? | Passing through the Holy Door, going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, reciting the Creed, and praying for the Pope |
| Are there any rituals associated with the opening and closing of the Holy Doors? | Yes, the Archbishop of Compostela strikes the wall with a silver hammer, then 'cleans' the area with oil and olive branches before entering through the door |
| Are there any special considerations for the Jubilee of 2025? | Yes, pilgrims are required to register to enter through the Holy Doors to aid with crowd control |
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What You'll Learn
There are four Holy Doors in Rome
The first of the four Holy Doors is located at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. This door is considered the most important as it symbolises the gateway to the heart of the Catholic Church. During a Jubilee Year, the Pope himself opens this door, welcoming the faithful into the Church. The St. Peter's Holy Door is made of bronze and decorated with inscriptions and symbols reflecting the Christian faith. Passing through it signifies spiritual renewal and a new phase of faith for pilgrims.
The second Holy Door is found at St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome, and the official residence of the Pope. The third door is located at Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as St. Mary Major. This door symbolises maternal guidance and is an essential part of the Jubilee pilgrimage.
The fourth and final Holy Door is situated at St. Paul Outside the Walls. These four doors in Rome form the core of the Jubilee pilgrimage, with Pope Francis opening all of them during the 2025 Jubilee. Pilgrims and visitors can reflect on their faith and experience Rome's rich Christian heritage by visiting these sacred sites.
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Holy Doors are opened during Jubilee years
Holy Doors are an integral part of the Catholic tradition. They are entrance portals located within the Papal major basilicas in Rome and other Catholic churches around the world. These doors are usually sealed by mortar and cement from the inside so that they cannot be opened. However, they are ceremoniously opened during Jubilee years, designated by the Pope, to symbolise spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and a deeper connection with God and the Catholic faith.
The tradition of the Holy Year, or Jubilee, was first started by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, and since then, the Catholic Church has celebrated them every 25 years or so. However, additional special Jubilee Years may be proclaimed by the Pope at any time. For example, in 2021, a Holy Year of Compostela, or a Camino Holy Year, was celebrated, which was extended to 2022 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Holy Doors are typically located in four major churches in Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and Saint Paul's Outside the Walls. These doors are considered profound symbols of faith and pilgrimage, offering believers a chance to experience spiritual renewal and a deeper connection with God and the Catholic faith. During Jubilee Years, pilgrims pass through these doors to receive indulgences, which are acts of grace within the Catholic faith. It is believed that those who pass through the doors will be absolved of all sins and will be able to enter Heaven without having to go through Purgatory.
In addition to the four major Holy Doors in Rome, there are also other basilicas in Rome with Holy Doors, such as St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome and the official residence of the Pope. Furthermore, during the Jubilee Year, all Diocesan Cathedrals designate one or more local Holy Doors to grant indulgences to people worldwide without them having to travel to Rome. For example, during the 2016 Holy Year, several Holy Doors were opened in Dublin, London, and New York City.
The opening and closing ceremonies of the Holy Doors are a highlight of the Jubilee Year, with the Pope himself opening the doors during the commencement of the Jubilee. The doors remain open throughout the Jubilee Year and are then sealed again at the end of the celebrations. For the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis will open five Holy Doors, including the four major doors in Rome and one at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Quebec, Canada.
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Pilgrims believe they receive indulgences by passing through
A Holy Door is traditionally an entrance portal located within the Papal major basilicas in Rome. They are usually sealed by mortar and cement from the inside so that they cannot be opened. However, they are ceremonially opened during Jubilee years, designated by the Pope, for pilgrims to enter through and gain plenary indulgences. Pilgrims believe that passing through a Holy Door absolves them of all sins.
The Holy Door is said to represent the passage to salvation and the path to a new and eternal life, opened to humanity by Jesus. The idea is derived from the Bible, where Jesus is quoted as saying, "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved." Pilgrims believe that passing through a Holy Door grants them a plenary indulgence, which means they are forgiven for all their sins and can enter Heaven without having to go through Purgatory.
To gain a plenary indulgence, pilgrims must also attend confession, receive Holy Communion, and recite the Creed. They must also pray for the Pope and for their intentions. During Jubilee years, the Pope may designate certain local Holy Doors, allowing Catholics to gain indulgences without travelling to Rome.
The tradition of the Holy Year, or Jubilee, was started by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, and has been celebrated by the Catholic Church approximately every 25 years since. However, special Holy Years can be declared by the Pope at any time. In addition to the major basilicas in Rome, there are many other Holy Doors around the world, some of which have been designated as such for hundreds of years, while others are granted this status for special reasons.
The Catholic Church teaches that indulgences relieve the temporal punishment resulting from sin and draw on the treasury of merit accumulated by Jesus's death on the cross and the virtues of the saints. They are granted for specific good works and prayers, and are intended to bring the faithful to greater fervour in charity. Indulgences are not a "free pass", but rather a gift from God, helping to achieve the purification of the soul from attachment to sin.
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Holy Doors can be found outside of Rome
In 1295, there was mention of a Holy Door in the main church of Atri, which was established in that period. It is thought that there must have been a small portal that was replaced with the current one in 1305. It is uncertain which Pope granted this privilege, but it may have been either Celestine V or Boniface VIII.
In 1178, Pope Alexander III granted the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain the privilege of a Holy Door by pontifical decree through his papal bull Regis Æterni.
In 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, marking the official start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. He later opened the Holy Door at St Mary Major and at the Caritas center near Rome's central train station. In 2016, he inaugurated an exceptional Holy Year, naming it the Year of Mercy.
In 2023, Pope Francis gave the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Quebec, Canada, the privilege of opening a Holy Door to mark its Jubilee Year as the first Catholic parish in North America north of Mexico.
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Pope Francis expanded the tradition in 2015
A Holy Door is traditionally an entrance portal located within the Papal major basilicas in Rome. They are normally sealed by mortar and cement from the inside so that they cannot be opened. They are ceremonially opened during Jubilee years designated by the Pope, for pilgrims who enter through those doors to gain the plenary indulgences attached with the Jubilee year celebrations.
In October 2015, Pope Francis expanded the tradition by having each Latin Catholic diocese throughout the world designate one or more local Holy Doors during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. This allowed Catholics to gain the plenary indulgences granted during the Jubilee year without having to travel to Rome. This expansion of the tradition was in keeping with Pope Francis's interpretation of the Holy Door, which he explained in the papal bull Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint): "In Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation — the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus".
On 8 December 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, marking the official start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. A few days later, he presided at the opening of the Holy Door at the Archbasilica of St John Lateran. The Holy Door at St Paul's Outside the Walls was opened by the Archpriest of that Basilica, Cardinal James Harvey. Pope Francis later opened the Holy Door at St Mary Major and at the Caritas centre near Rome's central train station. In November 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame in Bangui, Central African Republic. Subsequently, Holy Doors were opened in 40 different countries around the world, including locations such as Westminster Cathedral, Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire, and St. Paul's Basilica in Toronto.
In 2016, during the Holy Year of Mercy, each Roman Catholic diocese throughout the world designated one or more local Holy Doors. This meant that people could gain indulgences without having to travel to Rome. Holy Doors were opened in locations such as Dublin, London, and New York City.
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Frequently asked questions
There are four Holy Doors in Rome, located at St. Peter's Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These doors are considered the most important, as they form the core of the Jubilee pilgrimage. However, there are many other Holy Doors around the world, as Popes have inaugurated Holy Doors at pilgrimage sites outside of Rome.
The four Holy Doors in Rome are unique symbols of faith and pilgrimage. They are only opened during Holy Years, also known as Jubilees, which occur every 25 years or so, or when a special Jubilee is proclaimed by the Pope. Passing through these doors during a Jubilee Year is believed to grant indulgences and spiritual renewal, representing the passage from sin to grace and a deeper connection with Christ.
In addition to Rome, Holy Doors can be found in various other cities around the world. For example, during the 2016 Holy Year of Mercy, Holy Doors were designated in Dublin, London, and New York City. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI granted a holy door to the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. More recently, in 2023, Pope Francis gave the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Quebec City, Canada, the privilege of opening a Holy Door to mark its 350th anniversary.
