Pope Francis has inaugurated the ‘Jubilee Year 2025’ of Catholic celebration by opening the ‘Holy Door’ of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve. It is a tradition in Christian communities or countries to free slaves and prisoners and forgive debts during the ‘Jubilee Year’, a special year of forgiveness of sins, debts, and universal forgiveness. They believe this year to be a special year of God’s mercy.
The 88-year-old pope, who recently suffered from a cold, was wheeled to a huge bronze door, where he knocked and it opened. Opening a door is also seen as a symbol of salvation from sin or debt. The Argentine priest entered the ceremony, watched on screens by thousands of faithful outside St. Peter’s Square, and joined the procession, followed by the ringing of the bells of the Vatican basilica.
For the next 12 months, Catholic pilgrims will pass through the brick gate. Traditionally, entering or being able to enter through the bronze gate is seen as a special opportunity to gain special religious benefits (forgiveness of their sins). After the Holy Mass, Pope Francis presided over the Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s.
At the meeting, he recalled the wars that have taken place around the world throughout the year, saying, “We are saddened by the sounds of machine guns and explosions in war, as well as the attacks on schools and hospitals.” The Pope’s condemnation of the “brutality” of Israel’s attack on Gaza drew an angry response from the Israeli community.
He is scheduled to deliver his traditional Christmas Day blessing, Urbi et Orbi (To the city and the world), at noon on Wednesday. Around 700 security personnel have been deployed for Jubilee celebrations in the Vatican and Rome following a car attack at a Christmas market in Germany on Friday.
Much of Rome has been decorated in preparation for Christmas, with monuments such as the Trevi Fountain and Ponte Sant’Angelo being cleaned and traffic management measures in place. Key Jubilee projects were completed just a few days ago after months of work. Building and other construction work has been going on in many parts of the city throughout the year.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, inaugurating a new road tunnel in Piazza Pia, next to the Vatican, on Monday, said she had achieved a “small civic miracle” in completing the project on time. In the next few days, the Holy Doors will be opened in three major basilicas in Rome and in Catholic churches around the world.
Pope Francis will open the holy doors of Rome’s Rebibbia prison on Thursday and preside over a mass prayer meeting in support of the prisoners.
Gahatraj delivering a speech at the Christmas festival
C.B. Gahatraj, President of the Federation of National Christian Nepal (FNCN), has delivered speeches at various Christmas events over the years. In these addresses, he typically extends greetings to Christians in Nepal and abroad, expresses gratitude to government officials and supporters, and emphasizes the importance of religious harmony and equal rights.
Two thousand and 25 years ago, on December 25, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, Israel. Jesus Christ was born to Virgin Mary, who was pregnant with the Holy Spirit, on three main happy days, said CB Gahataraj, President of Nepal Christian Federation.
The Christian community celebrates this day as a day of salvation, love, and peace, believing that it brings salvation, love, and peace. Christmas Day, which is celebrated by many people around the world, was first celebrated as a festival in Nepal after 2063 BS.
The Federation claims that there are 3.5 million Christians in Nepal.
‘Christmas Day’ celebrated with grandeur in Nepal
The Christian community celebrated Christmas Day with great pomp today in commemoration of the birthday of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. Christmas Day was celebrated by exchanging greetings in various churches and congregations.
Christmas trees decorated with Christmas decorations were a major attraction in areas like Bhatbhateni Supermarket, Civil Mall, CTC Mall, City Center, Kathmandu Mall, Loving Mall, Iplex Mall, People’s Plaza, and Bishal Bazaar in the valley. Children and young people were seen busy taking pictures and taking selfies. The crowds increased as parents took their children to shopping malls, fun parks, and children’s parks. Musical programs and gatherings were held at various places.
Tourist destinations including Thamel and Durbar Marg remained crowded. The Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) has stated that there was a heavy flow of tourists in destinations near Kathmandu such as Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Chandragiri, Lakuri Jhanjyang. Thamel Tourism Development Council Vice-Chairman Sahadev Dhamala said that there was a lot of domestic and foreign tourists in hotels in Thamel on Christmas Eve.
The council organized a ‘food festival’ and a street festival at the Employees Provident Fund premises. The Restaurant and Bar Association of Nepal (REBAN) has stated that there has been a flood of customers at restaurants in tourist destinations and major busy areas.
