VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV culminated the 2025 Holy Year celebrations with a profound appeal for social inclusivity during New Year’s Eve vespers at St. Peter’s Basilica. The spiritual leader emphasized Rome’s historical role as a sanctuary for marginalized communities while addressing assembled dignitaries including Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.
Reflecting on the monumental Jubilee year that attracted 3.2 million pilgrims according to newly released Vatican statistics, the Pontiff expressed gratitude to Roman citizens and volunteers who facilitated the massive influx of visitors. The celebrations marked both the quarter-century tradition of Holy Year observances and a significant papal transition following the passing of Pope Francis in April 2025.
In his homily, Leo XIV reinforced his predecessor’s vision of enhanced hospitality, stating: “What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones—children, lonely elderly, struggling families, and those seeking dignified lives after journeying from distant lands.” The American-born Pope, who assumed leadership in May following Francis’s demise, specifically highlighted the city’s responsibility toward fragile demographics.
The Jubilee events witnessed notably subdued participation during early 2025 due to Francis’s extended hospitalization, with attendance dramatically surging after Leo’s election. The formal conclusion of Holy Year ceremonies is scheduled for January 6, 2026, though the December 31st service effectively symbolized the spiritual culmination of this extraordinary period for global Catholicism.