Overview
- The Jan. 6 rite at St. Peter’s formally concluded the Holy Year as the bronze door was shut; the customary masonry sealing will be carried out privately in about 10 days by the Vatican’s liturgy office.
- Vatican figures report more than 33 million pilgrims from roughly 185 countries attended around 35 major events, with approximately 60% coming from Europe.
- This Holy Year bridged two papacies—opened by Pope Francis and closed by León XIV—an uncommon circumstance last seen in 1700.
- León XIV used his homily and Angelus to urge solidarity with migrants and the vulnerable, criticize an economy that reduces people to commodities, and express deep concern over Venezuela.
- Local reporting highlights major urban upgrades linked to the Jubilee, with about €4 billion in Rome infrastructure investments, including a new pedestrian connection near Castel Sant’Angelo.