Pope opens holy door at Lateran Basilica, calls upon faithful to be instruments of mercy
December 14, 2015
On December 13, five days after the beginning of the extraordinary jubilee of mercy in St. Peter’s Basilica, bishops throughout the world opened holy doors at their cathedrals.
Pope Francis went to his own cathedral, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, to open the holy door and celebrate Mass.
“We have opened the holy door, here and in all the cathedrals of the world,” Pope Francis preached. “Even this simple sign is an invitation to joy. It begins a time of the great forgiveness. It is the Jubilee of Mercy.”
“It is time to rediscover the presence of God and his fatherly tenderness,” he continued. “God does not love rigidity. He is Father; He is tender; everything done with the tenderness of the Father.”
The Pope added:
Before the holy door we are called to cross, we are asked to be instruments of mercy, knowing that we will be judged on this. He who is baptized knows he has a greater commitment. Faith in Christ leads to a journey that lasts for a lifetime: to be merciful, like the Father.
The joy of crossing through the door of mercy is accompanied by a commitment to welcome and witness to a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no boundaries. It is from this infinite love that we are responsible, in spite of our contradictions.
On December 13, Cardinal James Harvey, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, opened the holy door there. The Pontiff will pass through the holy door there on January 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
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Further information:
- Opening of the Holy Door of St. John’s Basilica -2015.12.13 (YouTube Vatican)
- Santa Messa e apertura della Porta Santa della Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano presiedute dal Santo Padre Francesco, 13.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
- Booklet for the Celebration (Holy See)
- Pope opens Holy Door in John Lateran Basilica (Vatican Radio)
- Opening of Holy Door at St Paul Outside the Walls (Vatican Radio)
- Pope Francis inaugurates extraordinary jubilee year (CWN, 12/9)
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