It's been five years since the Jubilee of Mercy. It's worth remembering because it continues to be an iconic part of Pope Francis' pontificate.
For example, the pope chose to inaugurate it in one of the places with the most suffering in the world, the Central African Republic.
The Mass was attended by some 2,500 people, among them the imam of the city's main mosque.
POPE FRANCIS
“Bangui is the spiritual capital of the prayer for God's mercy.”
A week later, on Dec. 8, the solemn opening took place in St. Peter's Basilica. There the pope explained the meaning of this Jubilee.
POPE FRANCIS
“To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.”
It was perhaps the only jubilee in history to be inaugurated by two pontiffs, Pope Francis and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI.
So began a continuous flow of pilgrims making the trip to walk through that door while reflecting on God's mercy. The pilgrimages continued nearly 12 months later.
There were holy doors in churches in cities around the world. They weren't just in churches however. For example, the pope inaugurated this one at a homeless shelter in Rome.
POPE FRANCIS
“May this door, which is the door of charity, the door which helps so many, so many discarded people, make us understand that it would be good for each of us, every Roman, everyone, to feel excluded and feel the need for God's help.”
Throughout the Jubilee, he often made surprise visits to different places in Rome. He called them gestures of mercy.
In January, he visited this residence home for the elderly.
“I'm very happy.”
“And we also welcome you.”
“How are you?”
“Not very good...”
“Cheer up!”
On that same visit, he stopped at a home to greet six people in a vegetative state and their families.
In February, one of the most attended events of the Jubilee took place. Thousands of people went out to the streets of Rome to welcome the remains of two famous saints who dedicated much of their time to hearing people's confessions. They were St. Leopold de Mandic and Padre Pio.
The relics were on display in St. Peter's Basilica for several days. The pope also went to pray before them.
Mercy has many faces. That's why in May, he spent a few hours at “Il Chicco,” a center for people with mental disabilities run by the Community of the Ark.
One of the big events of the Jubilee took place in June. It was this gathering with priests from all over the world. The pope invited them to this spiritual retreat he himself led.
POPE FRANCIS
“Our people forgive us priests many failings, except for that of attachment to money. This does not have so much to do with money itself, but the fact that money makes us lose the treasure of mercy.”
In July, Pope Francis met with hundreds of thousands of young people in Krakow, John Paul II's city. There he walked through a Holy Door opened for the occasion.
In an enthusiastic speech, he invited them not to conform to a mediocre life.
POPE FRANCIS
“Dear young people, we didn’t come into this world to 'vegetate,' to take it easy, to make our lives a comfortable sofa to fall asleep on. No, we came for another reason: to leave a mark. It is very sad to pass through life without leaving a mark.”
In August, he traveled to Assisi to show them another side of mercy.
He heard many priests' confessions and reminded the faithful that just 800 years earlier, St. Francis had asked the pope to grant an indulgence to anyone who received the sacrament of reconciliation in this church on Aug. 2.
POPE FRANCIS
“The world needs forgiveness; too many people are caught up in resentment and harbor hatred, because they are incapable of forgiving. They ruin their own lives and the lives of those around them rather than finding the joy of serenity and peace.”
In Rome, he invited 21 Syrian refugees to his residence to have lunch.
“It is the drama of war.”
Another day, he visited a house belonging to the Pope John XXIII community. It hosts 20 women who were freed from the slavery of prostitution. They spent more than an hour sharing their dramatic experiences with the pope.
“Today I apologize to all of you. For all Christians, Catholics, that abused you, and also forgive me for not having prayed enough for you and for this slavery.”
September's act of charity was this moving visit to a children's hospital. The pope approached the babies' cribs, gave each of them a medal and greeted their parents.
“He is named Giancarlo, and was born at only seven months old. He's a bit premature. But he's okay. He will only stay a short while longer, then we can take him home.”
The final big encounters and messages of the Jubilee were clear.
On the Jubilee for prisoners, he called for better living conditions in prisons.
On his final “Mercy Friday,” the pope visited a group of men who had left the priesthood.
In the Vatican, he met with thousands of homeless people.
POPE FRANCIS
“I apologize for all the times that Christians, when in front of a poor person or situation, look the other way. I'm sorry.”
In keeping with tradition, the Jubilee concluded with the solemn closing of the Holy Door.
Of course the pope reminded the faithful that God's doors of mercy are always open.
This door will be opened for the next great jubilee in the year 2025.
Javier Martínez-Brocal
Translation: CT
