Pope Francis made a visit on Thursday to one of the largest prison complexes in Italy, opening a special "Holy Door" for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, in what the Vatican said was the first such action by a Catholic pontiff.

As the Pope left the Rebibbia prison, he stopped to greet the 300 inmates and staff who had waited outside of the crowded chapel on the cold December morning.

"I wanted all of us, inside or out, to have an opportunity to throw open the doors of our hearts and understand that hope does not disappoint."

Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at Rome's Rebibbia prison for the Catholic Church's Jubilee 2025 on Thursday, Saint Stephen's Day. It was a historic move as it is the first time a holy door has been opened at a jail.

In this context, Pope Francis has made an extraordinary gesture by opening the second Holy Door inside the Roman prison of Rebibbia. This act is not only a symbol of forgiveness and mercy, but also represents a strong message of hope for all prisoners,

Seated in his wheelchair in front of the church door, Pope Francis prayed: "In the joy of Christmas, let us welcome the call of the Lord Jesus to follow him. He is the door of life, the hope that does not disappoint, the good news that saves."

Pope Francis inaugurated his Holy Year at Rome’s main prison on Thursday, bringing a message of hope to inmates and involving them in the Catholic Church’s once every quarter-century celebration that is expected to bring about 32 million pilgrims to Rome.

For the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis will open a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison on 26 December, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees, which has been consistent throughout his pontificate.

Italian prison community, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at Rebibbia prison. This gesture, full of symbolism, was strongly desired by the Pontiff to involve prisoners in the Jubilee of Hope,

Marking the Holy Year of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at a prison in Rome on Thursday, offering a message of hope and forgiveness to inmates. "Do not lose hope, that is the message I want to give you,

Pope Francis inaugurated his Holy Year at Rome’s main prison on Thursday, bringing a message of hope to inmates and involving them in the Catholic Church’s once every quarter-century celebration that is expected to bring about 32 million pilgrims to Rome.