Friday, September 19, 2025

POTD: The Holy Door

From 2024 12 22 Rome
Pilgrims throng the stairs to the Holy Door

Today's photo-of-the-day is at the open Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Christmas Day. According to Wikipedia, "A Holy Door is traditionally an entrance portal located within the Papal major basilicas in Rome. The doors 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 throngs of pilgrims to enter the basilica through those doors to gain the plenary indulgences attached with the Jubilee year celebrations."

We witnessed Pope Francis open St. Peter's Holy Door on Christmas Eve, which marked the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025. We returned on Christmas Day to walk through it ourselves, along with thousands of pilgrims.

Bonus photos are after the jump.


From 2024 12 22 Rome
From 2024 12 22 Rome
From 2024 12 22 Rome

"Holy Door open.
Walking where the Pope had stood.
Rome sings with Christmas."

— h/t ChatGPT

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