The Catholic Holy Year, the Jubilee, officially begins this evening: Pope Francis, despite the heavy cold that has plagued him in recent days, will open the Holy Gate of St. Peter in the Vatican, in the presence of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.

Immediately after, fifty believers from all over the world will pass through the gate, according to the relevant ceremony of the Roman Catholic Church.

It is, as the pontiff himself pointed out, “a Holy Year, which is dedicated to hope”, with main reference to the urgent need for peace and reconciliation, in so many areas of our planet.

In addition to the Holy Gate which is located in Saint Peter, those of the other three royal churches of Rome are to be opened: Saint Mary the Great, Saint John Lateran and Saint Paul.

Those Catholic believers who pass under these holy gates receive, by their pilgrimage and prayer, forgiveness of sins.

The pontiff underlined that the significance of the Jubilee – celebrated every twenty-five years – is wider: “these are precious moments that allow us to better understand where our lives are, as individuals and as a whole. They are also opportunities for reflection and prayer, which offer us the opportunity to understand the message of the Holy Spirit,” wrote Francis himself in “X”.

Security measures, finally, are particularly increased throughout the Eternal City and, above all, around the Vatican where, these days, there are seven hundred extra police and carabinieri, compared to last Christmas. Robots, specially trained dogs, elite snipers help prevent any attacks, while those faithful who want to enter St. Peter’s Square must open their bags and backpacks, which are checked with metal detectors.