Pope Francis made a symbolic gesture at one of Italy's largest prisons on Thursday that is a first for any pontiff, reports the Guardian. Francis visited Rebibbia prison outside Rome, where he opened what the church calls a "holy door.

Pope Francis has opened a "Holy Door" for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year at a prison in Rome, bringing a message of hope to inmates and involving them in the Catholic Church's once-every-quarter-century celebration that is expected to bring about 32 million pilgrims to the city.

After opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis December 26 inaugurated the second Holy Door of the 2025 Jubilee at the church of Rebibbia Prison in Rome.