Opening the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis inaugurates a jubilee year expected to draw 32 million visitors to Rome.

To the faithful who go on pilgrimage to Rome, the Pope grants a special 'indulgence' or remission of their sins. View on euronews

According to the Vatican, the tradition began in 1300 when Pope Boniface VII announced the first Jubilee. Later, Jubilees came to be celebrated every 25 years.

Pope Francis will open “five sacred portals” on Christmas Eve for a ritual that has never been performed before. Pope Francis is only opening one "sacred portal" on this year's Christmas Eve. The other four will be opened over the following days and weeks,

The rite of opening the Holy Doors of the main basilicas of Rome to inaugurate the 2025 Jubilee Year is perhaps one of the most solemn events of the Catholic Church.

Anticipating the World Day of Peace on Jan. 1, Pope Francis renewed John Paul’s appeals earlier this month, asking for the forgiveness of foreign debt, elimination of the death penalty and creation of a fund aimed at eradicating world hunger using money allocated for armaments.

Pope Francis, turning 88 and recovering from a cold, will lead Sunday's Angelus prayer from his residence as a precaution. The decision considers cold weather and his commitments during Christmas week.