Pope Leo XIV Concludes Holy Year with Call for Compassion
Vatican City — Pope Leo XIV wrapped up the Catholic Church’s Holy Year on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for kindness towards those in need and foreigners. Speaking at a ceremony in the Vatican, he highlighted the record 33.5 million pilgrims who visited Rome during this year and urged them to appreciate individuals beyond their economic value.
“The world around us often tries to profit from everything,” Leo remarked. “After this year, can we learn to see the pilgrim in every visitor, the seeker in every stranger, and the neighbor in every foreigner?”
During his papacy, Pope Leo has consistently focused on the importance of caring for immigrants and those less fortunate. He closed the special bronze door at St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the official end of the Holy Year.
Holy Years, celebrated every 25 years, are seen as occasions for peace and forgiveness. Pilgrims could enter special “Holy Doors” at four basilicas in Rome and attend papal gatherings throughout the year. The next Holy Year will likely take place in 2033, coinciding with the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ death.
The recent jubilee, opened by the late Pope Francis, has been noteworthy for its leadership change, being the first to be opened by one pope and closed by another in 300 years. The last instance of this was in 1700.
Pope Leo noted that during this year’s celebrations, pilgrims traveled from 185 countries, with the highest numbers coming from Italy, the U.S., Spain, Brazil, and Poland.
He expressed hope that the experiences gained during this Holy Year would foster a greater sense of humanity and compassion, urging people to resist viewing others as mere commodities.
The Holy Year’s conclusion marks a significant moment for the Catholic Church, setting a tone for the years ahead under Pope Leo’s leadership, which includes continuing themes of inclusivity and compassion introduced by his predecessor.
