On the eve of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Second Sunday after Christmas, Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, ceremonially opened the Holy Door of the Basilica. This profound act, accompanied by the resounding Jubilee hymn, invited the faithful to embark on a spiritual journey, walking in the "footsteps of faith."

Quoting Psalm 122: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!' Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem," Cardinal Harvey emphasized the spiritual significance of the event, which marked the last Holy Door opening for the ongoing Jubilee of Hope.

The sequence of events at Saint Paul Outside the Walls mirrored the deeply spiritual moments experienced at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome's Rebibbia prison, and the Basilicas of Saint John Lateran and Saint Mary Major, where the Jubilee of Hope began. The faithful's gaze turned to the mosaic facade of the Basilica, crowned with a cross and the Latin words "Spes unica"—"the only hope"—proclaiming Christ as the door to God’s kingdom.

The solemn rite unfolded as Cardinal Harvey approached the bronze Holy Door adorned with bas-reliefs depicting pivotal moments in Saint Paul's life. Amid prayerful silence and the ringing of Basilica bells, he crossed the threshold, leading a procession toward the Altar of Confession. Joined by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and other members of the monastic community, Cardinal Harvey presided over the Eucharistic celebration attended by over 2,800 faithful.

In his homily, Cardinal Harvey reflected on the symbolic and spiritual power of opening the Holy Door. "We have crossed the threshold of the sacred temple with immense joy, because in a symbolic way, we have passed through the door of hope," he said. He underscored the central themes of joy and hope, reminding the faithful that Christ's birth brings joy, while His redemptive mission offers unwavering hope.

“Joy is the right sentiment for the gift of Redemption in Jesus Christ,” Cardinal Harvey observed. The Christmas season, coupled with the Jubilee celebration, highlights forgiveness and reconciliation as the guiding stars of the faithful's spiritual journey.

Cardinal Harvey invited pilgrims to experience the Holy Door as a "salvific passage" through Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. Crossing its threshold symbolized entering "the time of mercy and forgiveness," a journey essential for reconciliation with God and one another.

In today’s world, marred by the aftershocks of the pandemic, wars, and crises, he emphasized the urgent need for hope. Hope, as taught by Pope Francis, "is not an empty word or a vague wish," but a certainty rooted in God's fidelity. It is an active virtue that "helps to make things happen," encouraging believers to be active agents of change.

The Jubilee of 2025 calls on the faithful to embrace their role as pilgrims of hope. "Feeling part of a community that for two thousand years has travelled the roads of this world, proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," Cardinal Harvey remarked, reinforces the mission of the Church.

He concluded by praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as pilgrims embark on this journey of faith, sustained by "the hope that does not disappoint."

The opening of the Holy Door at Saint Paul Outside the Walls stands as a beacon of hope and renewal for Christians worldwide. Through joy, forgiveness, and active hope, the faithful are reminded of their calling to walk steadfastly in faith, proclaiming the Gospel and embracing the hope offered by Christ.