The day after the official start of the Jubilee, on December 26, Pope Francis will go to the Rebibbia prison in Rome to open the Holy Door there too. This information was provided by Msgr. Rino Fisichella, who also launched an appeal to political leaders to consider forms of amnesty. Furthermore, he announced that last September 11, an agreement was signed with the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, aimed at promoting initiatives for the social reintegration of prisoners during the Jubilee.

The official start of the Jubilee will take place at 7:00 p.m. on December 24, when Pope Francis will lead the mass in St. Peter’s Square and then proceed with the opening ceremony of the Holy Door. Monsignor Fisichella explained that the Pope himself will be the first to cross the threshold of the Door and will invite all those who will participate during the Holy Year to follow his example, thus expressing the joy of the encounter with Christ Jesus, the source of our hope. The announcement of the opening of the celebration will be preceded by a short concert of bells performed by the Pontifical Marinelli Bell Foundry. The Pro-Prefect commented that the bells represent a sound particularly dear to the community and on this occasion they symbolize the festive announcement of a long-awaited and finally realized event.