Whats Jubilee

The Jubilee originates in the Jewish tradition, which provided, every 50 years, a year of rest for the land to strengthen crops, restitute confiscated land, and free enslaved people. To mark the beginning of this year, a ram's horn called a yobel was played, from which the Christian term "Jubilee" is derived. In the Christian era, the first Jubilee was celebrated in 1300, proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII. He also established that jubilees were celebrated every 100 years.

However, following a request from the Roman faithful to Pope Clement VI in 1342, the period was reduced to 50 years. The last 50-year Jubilee was celebrated by Pope Nicholas V in 1450, as Paul II reduced the interval between jubilees to 25 years. There are also extraordinary jubilees proclaimed by the pope at notable moments in history, such as the Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, convoked by Pope Francis.

Essentially, the Jubilee is a year of grace in which we are called to conversion, faith, forgiveness, spiritual renewal, and the opportunity for encounter and communion among the faithful. It is a unique time to share and foster unity in faith. Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the 2025 Jubilee: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.

The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..." On December 24, 2025, Pope Francis officially opened the Jubilee Year 2025 with the rite of Opening the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, and this will last until January 6, 2026.

Read Pope Francis’ letter

Official Hym

Visit other jubilee website

Prayer

The Jubilee PrayerFather in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Indulgence