Jan 6, 2026 / 06:00 am

As Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 6, the feast of the Epiphany, and the 2025 Jubilee Year comes to an end, the Catholic Church begins to anticipate another jubilee — one that will mark 2,000 years since Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

Although traditionally a jubilee only happens every 25 years, the Holy Door is slated to reopen for a special 2033 Jubilee when the Church will celebrate the Holy Year of the Redemption. To mark the occasion, Pope Leo has called on people to travel to the Holy Land, where Jesus once lived and died.

The pope spoke about the special celebration at a meeting with Christian leaders in Istanbul on Nov. 29 during his visit to Turkey. His address, marking the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, discussed the importance of the historic council as well as evangelization and a call for prayers for future meetings, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The Holy Father concluded his talk by inviting listeners “to travel together on the spiritual journey that leads to the Jubilee of the Redemption in 2033, with the prospect of a return to Jerusalem,” the press office said.

Pope Leo said it is in the Holy Land where the faithful can celebrate “in the Cenacle, place of the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, where he washed their feet, and the place of Pentecost.” He called for a journey that leads to full unity, quoting his episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum.”

The 2025 Jubilee officially began on Dec. 24, 2024, with the Rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by Pope Francis, and centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Rome welcomed nearly 30 million pilgrimsfrom across the globe to celebrate. Many traveled to the Eternal City for packed events including the Jubilee of the Sick; the Jubilee of Consolation; the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly; and the Jubilee of Youth.