Pope Francis made a visit on Thursday to one of the largest prison complexes in Italy, opening a special "Holy Door" for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, in what the Vatican said was the first such action by a Catholic pontiff.

As the Pope left the Rebibbia prison, he stopped to greet the 300 inmates and staff who had waited outside of the crowded chapel on the cold December morning.

The Jubilee begins, the Pope opens the Holy Door asking for forms of clemency, such as amnesty and pardon, but the Meloni government replies that it is certainly not the way to solve the problems

"I wanted all of us, inside or out, to have an opportunity to throw open the doors of our hearts and understand that hope does not disappoint."

In this context, Pope Francis has made an extraordinary gesture by opening the second Holy Door inside the Roman prison of Rebibbia. This act is not only a symbol of forgiveness and mercy, but also represents a strong message of hope for all prisoners,

Pope Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has visited Rebibbia often since becoming pope in 2013.

Seated in his wheelchair in front of the church door, Pope Francis prayed: "In the joy of Christmas, let us welcome the call of the Lord Jesus to follow him. He is the door of life, the hope that does not disappoint, the good news that saves."

Italian prison community, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at Rebibbia prison. This gesture, full of symbolism, was strongly desired by the Pontiff to involve prisoners in the Jubilee of Hope,

Marking the Holy Year of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at a prison in Rome on Thursday, offering a message of hope and forgiveness to inmates. "Do not lose hope, that is the message I want to give you,

The Pope chose to open the Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison in Italy as his second of five doors during the 2025 Jubilee for this reason.