CT News
Dec. 28, 2025 : Christian hope does not ignore the wars, crises, injustices and confusion that the world is experiencing today, Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, said in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration with the closing of the Holy Door, which took place Sunday morning, 28 December.
The closing ceremony was marked by a contemplative silence that accompanied Cardinal Harvey to the Holy Door, whose three panels recall the three years of preparation for the Holy Year 2000, requested by St John Paul II and dedicated to the Father, rich in mercy "to the Holy Spirit, the principal agent of evangelisation” and to the Son, the Redeemer. The cardinal knelt before it and, after a few moments of prayerful reflection, closed its doors.
In the church dedicated to the memory of St Paul, the words from the Letter to the Romans resound with particular force: “hope does not disappoint”, which accompanied the entire Jubilee.
“As the Holy Door closes,” the cardinal stressed, “may the door of faith, charity and hope remain open in our hearts. May the door of mission remain open, because the world needs Christ.”
The Holy Door of the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls was the third of the papal basilicas to be closed. The first was that of St Mary Major, on Christmas Day. On the morning of Saturday 27 December, it was the turn of St John Lateran. Pope Leo XIV will close the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on 6 January, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
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