Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Pope Francis’ vicar for the Diocese of Rome, described the event as “a gesture that renews our profession of faith in Christ.”

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.

The pope opened the Jubilee Holy Door praying that the Holy Spirit would soften hearts so that "enemies may speak to each other again."