Pope Francis opens ‘holy door’ at one of largest prisons in Italy

Pontiff opens sacred portal at Rebibbia jail outside Rome to show ‘hope does not disappoint’

Pope Francis has visited one of the largest prisons in Italy, opening a special “holy door” for the Catholic church’s 2025 jubilee, in what the Vatican described as a “historic move” as it is the first time a sacred portal has been opened at a jail.

Speaking to hundreds of inmates on Thursday at the Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome, in a gesture of hope to show his closeness to detainees, Francis said he wanted to open the door, part of the prison chapel, and one of only five that will be open during the “holy year”, to show that “hope does not disappoint”.

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