The Catholic Church has declared 2025 as a Holy Year, or a Jubilee Year,, This is a catholic event that has been observed since the 14th century. While I am not Catholic and have never been part of the Catholic faith, I recognize that many people have been raised in Catholic traditions, attending Catholic schools and churches. I do have issues with many of the Pope’s announcements and his theology; however with this Jubilee announcement, I am interested in hearing perspectives from those with a Catholic background. Do you see this Jubilee Year as a Biblical commandment, or is it a religious event rooted in catholic tradition?

God established the Jubilee Year for the Israelites, which leads to the question, was that directed to Israel or is that a commission for modern-day believers? I would be interested in hearing some thoughts on this from my catholic friends. As we get closer and closer to the Rapture and the return of Christ, believers need to be focused on the Bible, on their relationship with Jesus. We cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in legalism and religion, both of which are man’s attempts to be “holy.”

The Biblical Origins of the Jubilee Year

In the Old Testament, God established the concept of a Jubilee Year for the Israelites. This was intended as a time of release and restoration, marked by the forgiveness of debts, the return of land, and a period of rest for people and the land (Leviticus 25). However, was this directive given specifically to Israel, or does it apply to all believers today?

As we approach the return of Christ, it is crucial for believers to stay focused on Scripture and their personal relationship with Jesus. Legalism and religion—both of which are human attempts to achieve holiness—should not distract us from the truth found in God’s Word.

Understanding the 2025 Jubilee Year

The upcoming Jubilee Year officially began on Christmas Eve 2024. Pope Francis proclaimed this in a document stating, “May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as ‘our hope.’”

I agree believers should always be proclaiming the hope of salvation. This should happen every years, not just a jubilee year. Jubilee celebrations have been held regularly in the Catholic Church since 1300, the catholic church says it draws inspiration from the Jewish tradition of marking a Jubilee Year every 50 years. According to the Vatican’s official website, these years serve as an opportunity to reestablish a right relationship with God, also with fellow human beings, and with creation.

One of the most significant aspects of the Jubilee Year is the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This ceremony, which took place on December 24, 2024, symbolized the passage to salvation that Jesus opened for humanity. Holy Doors at Rome’s three other major basilicas will also be opened, continuing a tradition that dates back to Pope Martin V in 1423. At the end of the Jubilee Year, these doors will be ceremonially closed and sealed with bricks, a practice that originated in 1500 under Pope Alexander VI. I do not understand why we would close that door, the door to salvation, and seal it shut with bricks.

Themes and Objectives of the 2025 Jubilee

The theme for this Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope,” based on Romans 5:5. The Pope said, “Hope does not disappoint.” Pope Francis has emphasized that hope is essential in today’s fast-paced world, encouraging patience and perseverance among believers.

Like previous Jubilee Years, this one will highlight the sacrament of reconciliation, emphasizing repentance and spiritual renewal. The Catholic Church also teaches that the Jubilee provides an opportunity for special indulgences, which are believed to remove the temporal effects of sin through Christ’s grace. However, the practice of indulgences was a major point of contention during the Protestant Reformation, they raised deep theological concerns among non-Catholics, and to this day they remain a point of contention.

The Social Aspect of the 2025 Jubilee

Another concern I have is its addition to its spiritual themes. The catholic Jubilee Year also carries a social message which I cannot come along side with. Pope Francis has called for “signs of hope,” including efforts toward world peace, responsible parenthood, and care for the marginalized, such as prisoners, the poor, the sick, and the elderly. These are principles deeply rooted in Scripture. However, the Pope has also included elements of the social gospel in his message, advocating for the forgiveness of national debts for impoverished countries and addressing “ecological debt” caused by environmental exploitation. I do have an issues using Scripture as the source for those social stances.

Pilgrimage and Tourism in the Jubilee Year

Rome expects a massive influx of pilgrims during the Jubilee year, with Italy’s National Tourist Research Institute projecting 35 million visitors in 2025—nearly triple the 13 million who visited in 2023. For catholic pilgrimage is considered a fundamental aspect of the Jubilee, with Pope Francis emphasizing its significance in the search for meaning in life.

Among the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Rome will be the Christian catacombs, the seven traditional pilgrimage churches, and twelve additional designated “Jubilee churches.” The Vatican has been working to restore many of Rome’s famous sites and artwork in preparation for this event, which has resulted in some major landmarks being obscured by scaffolding for much of 2024.

Notable Jubilee events include the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Security Personnel, as well as gatherings for artists, deacons, and even marching bands. Again, I do not see a Biblical foundation for that practice. The year will also mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed.

The Conclusion of the Jubilee Year

The Holy Year will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2026. However, the Holy Doors at Rome’s other major basilicas will close a week earlier on December 28, 2025, which will align with local celebrations at diocesan cathedrals worldwide. Again, why should the door to Jesus ever be closed?

The world is moving rapidly, with advancements in technology, shifts in global leadership, and increasing apostasy in the church. Everything foretold in 2 Timothy 3 is coming to pass, warning those who maintain an appearance of godliness but deny its true power. Scripture tells the believer to have to do with such people. It is easy to have good intentions but not at the cost of lacking spiritual discernment.

As believers, our focus should remain steadfast on the Lord Jesus Christ and His imminent return. Whether or not one embraces the Jubilee Year as a sacred observance, our priority must always be a personal relationship with Christ, rooted in the truth of Scripture.

I welcome thoughts and reflections from those with a Catholic background: Do you see the 2025 Jubilee Year as a Biblical commissioning or a religious tradition? How should believers today approach it? It is easy to have good intentions, but again, not at the cost of lacking spiritual discernment. I pray our hearts and minds are focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and His soon return.

Maranatha Lord Jesus