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Pope Leo marked the end of the Jubilee Year on Tuesday 6 January, presiding over Holy Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord at St Peter’s Basilica and closing the final Holy Door, in St Peter's.

Almost 33.5 million pilgrims from 185 countries visited Rome during the Holy Year (2 million more than expected), with many pilgrims from our Diocese making the pilgrimage journey with their families, friends, schools, or parish communities.

An estimated 7,000 volunteers supported the Holy Year in Rome, with 2,000 members of the Order of Malta providing first-aid support at the four papal basilicas.

“The whole world came to Rome during the Holy Year", said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, “the spiritual dimension that is at the foundation of the Jubilee made it possible to encounter a people on the move, with a great desire for prayer and conversion”.The papal basilicas, the Scala Santa (Holy Staircase) and other places of prayer recorded unprecedented numbers of visitors, with significant increases in confessions and widespread participation in the jubilee celebrations.

“The Jubilee is closing" said Archbishop Fisichella, "but the signs of hope offered remain, broadening the horizon for a future of peace and serenity. This Holy Year achieved the goal of Pope Francis [reviving] hope in everyone".

Bishop Richard marked the end of the Jubilee Year in the local Church in Arundel & Brighton with the celebration of Mass on 28 December, the Feast of the Holy Family.

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‍Source: Vatican News
Photo: CBCEW