Symbolic Keys of St. Peter
The Jubilee Year happens every twenty five years except in 2015-2016 which was designated an Extraordinary Jubilee by Pope Francis. The declaration of a Jubilee year comes from Leviticus 25:8-55 which commands the Israelites to count 7 sabbatical years (7 x 7 = 49) and on the 50th year, celebrate a year of Jubilee. Leviticus 25:10 sums it clearly: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land and to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.” The central theme of the Jubilee Year is freedom, mercy and reconciliation.
Pope Francis knocked on the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2024. The door was opened and he passed through in his wheelchair to celebrate Christmas Eve mass. The Jubilee Year celebration continues until January 6, 2026, the feast of the Epiphany. There are five designated Holy Doors: St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. A fifth door is in the Rebibbia prison in Rome. It is meant to be a symbol of hope and a renewed sense of confidence for all prisoners.
The Jubilee Prayer: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/preghiera.html
What is the significance of entering a Holy Door? According to John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and go in and out and find pasture.”
Please be respectful of religious traditions and dress properly. There is no fee to enter any of these doors.
Holy Door, St. Peter’s Basilica
The Cruxifixion, Holy Door at St. Peter’s
Dome by Michaelangelo
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
St. John Lateran is the seat of the Bishop of Rome who is the Pope.
Holy Door, St. John Lateran
High Altar, St. John Lateran
At the top of the altar are the figures of Sts. Peter and Paul. Below them is the ciborium which houses relics from the wooden altar where St. Peter celebrated mass.
Procession representing several countries at St. John Lateran
This procession was so long but we loved the solemn hymns and chants as the congregation came up the square to the Basilica. It made our visit extra special.
Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major)
St. Mary Major is one of the four papal basilicas and the largest Marian church. It has a relic from the crib of Jesus, the icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani (see below) and the tomb of Pope Francis. It was founded in 432 CE.
Domes and belltower of Santa Maria Maggiore
View from our hotel terrace at Santa Elisabetta.
Holy Door, Santa Maria Maggiore
This Chapel was constructed around 1611 under Pope Paul V Borghese to house a painting on a wooden panel with Mary and the Child Jesus. A popular belief attributes this painting to St. Luke the Evangelist. Studies by scholars and experts, however, reveal the panel may have been painted between the 8th and 11th centuries possibly by a Byzantine artist.
Pope Francis is buried on the left nave close to the Pauline Chapel.
Where to Stay:
Suore Santa Elisabetta, Via dell’Olmata 9, Rome
This convent is well located, practically next door to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the churches designated for the Jubilee Year 2025. The convent is a short walk from Termini Sation and there are many restaurants and grocery stores nearby. The convent also has a chapel, a garden and a rooftop terrace with views of Rome and it serves a simple breakfast. It’s a safe place to stay especially for solo female travelers.
Best Western Art Deco, Via Palestri, Rome
About 20 minutes walk from Termini Station in a quiet neighborhood. There are several restaurants close by, two in which I had the pleasure of dining.
How to get around:
Since both of our hotels were within walking distance to Santa Maria Maggiore, we walked to this Basilica. We took Uber Black to St John Lateran and to the Vatican. It was more expensive to go to the Vatican on Sunday before 12 noon. The fare came to €34. On our way back to our hotel we only paid €17. Timing is everything. I recommend taking Uber since there is a band of pickpockets making a living in the metro trains.
What to expect before entering the Holy Doors:
We had to pass through a body scanner machine and bag check. This is standard for all the three Jubilee churches we visited. The lines at Santa Maria Maggiore and St. John Lateran were short but the lines at St. Peter’s were long, especially on Sunday when we attended the Angelus at noon with the Pope leading the prayers.
Where to eat:
Ristorante Babbo’s, Via Volturno, 13
Had the best meal here. We paid about €75 for this fish dish with vegetables and a glass of wine and bottled water.
Mercato Centrale, Termini Station, Via Giolitti
This is a good place for the diversity of food offerings.
Eataly’s at Termini Station
We wanted to try this restaurant on the second floor of Termini Station. While I had memorable meals at Eataly in Milan and Boulogna, I wasn’t all that impressed with our order of Riso with gamberetti and Pizza Margherita.
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Images by TravelswithCharie