ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV concluded the year 2025 with heartfelt prayers for the city of Rome, expressing hopes that it might serve as a welcoming haven for both foreigners and vulnerable populations, encompassing individuals of all ages. The Pope led a New Year’s Eve vespers service at St. Peter’s Basilica, where he reflected on the recent 2025 Holy Year. This extraordinary event, which occurs once every 25 years, attracted millions of pilgrims to Rome, marking a significant moment of celebration for the Christian community.
Pope Leo XIV is set to formally conclude the Jubilee on January 6. During his homily, he expressed gratitude towards Rome and the numerous volunteers who played a crucial role in managing the large crowds visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and passing through its Holy Door. He reminisced about Pope Francis, who initiated the Holy Year on December 24, 2024, emphasizing the need for Rome to embody a spirit of hospitality. “I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace,” Leo articulated during the service.
Moreover, Pope Leo XIV reflected on aspirations for Rome, urging that it be deserving of its young and vulnerable residents. He stated, “What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life.” Notably, among the attendees were Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and various dignitaries, highlighting the event's importance within the larger community.
2025 was marked by significant events beyond the Jubilee, as it also witnessed a pivotal papal transition following the death of Pope Francis in April. This event led to the election of history's first pope from the United States, further shaping the Vatican's narrative during this period. The Vatican recently disclosed attendance figures revealing that 3.2 million individuals participated in various liturgies, audiences, and Jubilee events this year. The attendance numbers were notably low during the initial months, attributed to Pope Francis’s lengthy hospitalization and illness. However, attendance significantly increased following Leo's election in May.
As the Vespers service concluded, the atmosphere was permeated with a sense of hope and gratitude for the spiritual unity that the Holy Year fostered among the faithful. Pope Leo XIV’s reflections during this time resonate not only with the local community in Rome but also with the broader global society, as he calls for compassion and inclusivity in addressing the needs of the marginalized.
