At the Angelus: 'Let us work for disarmament'

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison: 'Do not lose hope'

A symbolic gesture strongly desired by the Pontiff to involve the entire prison population of the world in the Jubilee of Hope.

by Redaction Rome

26 December 2024

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Key points

The Pope opened the Holy Door at Rebibbia Prison
In Rebibbia for the Pope's mass also minister Nordio
Pope to prisoners: second holy door is yours
"Never lose hope"
Pope greets and hugs inmates at Rebibbia, then gifts are exchanged
"Stop colonising countries with weapons, let's work for disarmament"
"Wishing peace to our Jewish brothers and sisters"

3' min read

Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at the Rebibbia prison, a symbolic gesture strongly desired by the Pontiff to involve the entire prison population of the world in the Jubilee of hope.

The Pope opened the Holy Door at Rebibbia Prison

The Pope passed through the Holy Door on foot (and not in a wheelchair as had happened at St. Peter's Basilica). Next to him the auxiliary bishop of Rome Monsignor Benoni Ambarus. "I wanted the second Holy Door to be here, in a prison. I wanted each one of us, who are here inside and outside, to have the opportunity to open the doors of our hearts wide and understand that hope does not disappoint," said the Pope before passing through the Holy Door and entering the chapel of the Rebibbia prison where the mass was being held. Present at the celebration, inside the chapel, were about three hundred inmates and prison police personnel

Questa foto scattata e distribuita il 26 dicembre 2024 da The Vatican Media mostra Papa Francesco che apre una Porta Santa nel penitenziario di Rebibbia il giorno di Santo Stefano a Roma, nell’ambito dell’Anno Giubilare Cattolico. (Foto di Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) /

At Rebibbia for the Pope's Mass even Minister Nordio

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio was also present at the mass in the Rebibbia prison celebrated by Pope Francis for the opening of the Holy Door. Also present was the head of the Dap Giovanni Russo, who submitted his resignation in recent days. Also present were Alessandro Diddi, judge of the Vatican tribunal, and Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonca, Prefect of the Dicatsero della Cultura.

Pope to prisoners: second holy door is yours

After St Peter's "the second door is yours, it is a beautiful gesture to open doors that means open hearts. This is what brotherhood does. Closed hearts do not help one to live. The grace of a Jubilee is to open wide, to open. Above all, hearts to hope". So said Pope Francis during the homily of the Mass in the Rebibbia prison. Bergoglio spoke openly.

"Never lose hope"

And again. "Hope never disappoints", "think well about that", "even I have to think that because in bad times one thinks that everything is over, that nothing is resolved but hope never disappoints". "I like to think of hope as the anchor that is on the shore and we with the rope are secure". "Don't lose hope: that's the message I want to give you, to all of us, me first".

Pope greets and embraces inmates at Rebibbia, then the exchange of gifts

Prisoners and inmates at the end of the mass in Rebibbia greeted the Pope who opened a Holy Door in a prison for the first time. Some kissed his hand, some whispered something in his ear. Some embraced him in a hug. Bergoglio also greeted the staff and volunteers. Francis, informs the Vatican, received some gifts from the inmates: from the men of the New Complex, a miniature reproduction of the door of the Church of the Our Father, created in the "Metamorphosis" workshop using wood from migrants' boats; from the women of Rebibbia women, a basket containing oil, biscuits, ceramics and bibs, the fruit of their work. The penitentiary administration will also pay homage to the Pope with a picture: a painting depicting a saving Christ created by artist Elio Lucente, a former penitentiary policeman. In turn. explained Monsignor Rino Fisichella, head of the Jubilee organisational machine, Bergoglio gave the prisoners a reproduction of the Holy Door and a parchment in memory of the Jubilee visit "as a sign of hope, to recover trust and esteem from society".

"Stop colonising countries with weapons, let's work for disarmament"

"No more colonising peoples with weapons. Let us work for disarmament, let us work against hunger, against disease, against child labour'. This was the appeal made by the Pope at the Angelus. "Let us pray, please, for peace in the whole world. Peace in the tormented Ukraine, in Gaza, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, and so many countries that are at war," the Pontiff added.

"Wishing peace to our Jewish brothers"

"Last night began the feast of lights, Hannukkah, celebrated for eight days by our Jewish brothers and sisters around the world, to whom I send my best wishes for peace and fraternity," the Pope said again at the Angelus.