From the 26th of July to the 5th of August 2025, a group of 33 young people from Cyprus—18 from the Latin community and 15 from the Maronite community—took part in the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, a major event in this Holy Year of Hope.
Organized as part of the Church’s global Jubilee celebrations, the Jubilee of Youth gathered thousands of young pilgrims from around the world to the heart of the Church. It was a moment of deep spiritual encounter, unity, and renewal of faith. Our group joined this vibrant international community, participating in catechesis, prayer, cultural events, and the culminating moments with Pope Francis.
The experience was not only an opportunity to witness the universality of the Church but also a meaningful journey of communion between the Latin and Maronite youth of Cyprus. Together, we prayed, shared our faith, and built friendships that reflect the richness and diversity of the Catholic Church in our island.
One of the highlights was the pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica—a powerful sign of grace and mercy. The young people also had the chance to explore the roots of Christianity in Rome, visiting sacred sites and celebrating the beauty of their faith.
We are grateful to our parish communities and to the organizers who made this experience possible. With hearts full of joy and hope, we return to Cyprus renewed in our mission to live and share the Gospel.
The Jubilee in Catholic Christianity: A Tradition of Mercy and Renewal
In Catholic tradition, a Jubilee (or Holy Year) is a special time of grace, conversion, and renewal. It’s a year when the Church calls the faithful to pilgrimage, prayer, and works of charity, offering special indulgences as signs of God’s mercy.
The idea comes from the biblical jubilee described in Leviticus 25, where every 50th year debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land was restored. Christians see Jesus as the fulfillment of this promise (Luke 4:18–19), proclaiming a true “year of the Lord’s favor.”
The first Catholic Jubilee was declared in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, drawing crowds of pilgrims to Rome. Originally planned for every 100 years, the rhythm was soon shortened: 50 years, then 25 years, so that more believers could experience it in their lifetime. Since then, ordinary Jubilees are held every 25 years (the next one is in 2025), while extraordinary Jubilees can be called in special circumstances — like Pope Francis’ Jubilee of Mercy in 2015–2016.
A hallmark of the Jubilee is the opening of the Holy Doors in Rome’s four major basilicas. Pilgrims pass through them as a symbol of stepping into God’s mercy. Alongside this, confession, Mass, and acts of charity remain central ways of living out the Jubilee spirit.
At its heart, the Jubilee is about three things: forgiveness, renewal, and solidarity with others. It’s a centuries-old reminder that faith isn’t just about belief, but about letting God’s mercy transform our lives and how we treat those around us.
Jubilee 2025: The year of Hope.
This year marks a profound moment in the life of the Church: the 2025 Jubilee Year, officially titled “Pilgrims of Hope”. Heralded by Pope Francis through the papal bull Spes non confundit (“Hope does not disappoint”) issued on May 9, 2024, the Jubilee calls believers worldwide to embrace hope as their guide amid uncertain times Catholic AnswersWikipediacafod.org.uk.
Opening the Holy Doors at Rome’s four major basilicas symbolized the Jubilee’s commencement. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, initiating the Holy Year—including the first-ever Holy Door at a prison chapel in Rome’s Rebibbia prison two days later WikipediaAP NewsNew York Post. These doors will remain open through early 2026, inviting pilgrims into a year of spiritual renewal Wikipediatexascatholic.com.
From the start, the Jubilee has emphasized solidarity and inclusion. The opening of the Holy Door in Rebibbia prison underscored the Pope’s concern for society’s most marginalized, calling upon inmates—and all faithful—to cling to hope as “an anchor in the storm” AP News. At the same time, a webcam was installed to stream live from St. Peter’s tomb and Holy Door, enabling those who cannot travel to Rome to participate symbolically in the celebration The Guardian.
Pilgrims are already pouring into Rome by the millions. In the Jubilee’s first two weeks, over half a million pilgrims passed through St. Peter’s Holy Door; within the first month, that number surged past 1.3 million. Organizers anticipate upwards of 30 million pilgrims over the year Wikipedia.
This Jubilee is not just a passive observance—it pulses with events for every soul. Early in the year, Rome hosted a Jubilee for Artists and the World of Culture, with luminaries like Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci attending. Other themed celebrations—such as the Jubilee of Families, Missionaries of Mercy, and others—have already taken place or are scheduled throughout the year.
Midway through the year, a historic transition unfolded. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. His successor, Pope Leo XIV, assumed leadership mid-Jubilee. In the span of weeks, the new Pope took charge of ongoing Jubilee celebrations—including a youth Jubilee slated for July–August—and inherited a packed pilgrimage and liturgical calendar
“Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5)—and we carry that hope with us, as a light for others.