Blister pack BU

The Jubilee, also called the Holy Year, is a special year of celebration in the Roman Catholic Church. The term goes back to the biblical concept of a year of release, in which debts were to be forgiven, property relations regulated and dependencies ended. In the Catholic tradition, the Jubilee stands above all for conversion, reconciliation, pilgrimage and the reception of an indulgence. According to Church teaching, this concerns the temporal consequences of sins that have already been forgiven and is subject to certain religious requirements.

The first Holy Year proclaimed by a pope took place in 1300 under Pope Bonifatius VIII. The intervals between the Jubilees were subsequently changed several times. Since the modern era, ordinary Holy Years have generally been celebrated every 25 years; in addition, popes may proclaim extraordinary Jubilees on special themes.

One of the central symbols of a Holy Year is the Holy Door. It is normally closed and opened only during a Jubilee. Such doors are located at the four papal basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica (Petersdom), the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (Lateranbasilika), Santa Maria Maggiore and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (Sankt Paul vor den Mauern). Passing through it is part of the Jubilee pilgrimage and, in Christian interpretation, symbolizes entry into a renewed life. The opening of the door of St. Peter’s Basilica by the pope marks the beginning of the Holy Year.

The 2025 Jubilee is held under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”. It began on 24 December 2024 and includes services, pilgrimages and meetings of various church groups in Rome. At the same time, it is being celebrated worldwide in the local churches.

For the Vatican, the choice of this occasion was an obvious one, as the Holy Year is closely connected with Rome, the papacy and the papal basilicas. The coin issue commemorates an ecclesiastical event held only at longer intervals that brings numerous pilgrims to Rome.