The event to open the doors of the richly decorated bronze doors of the basilica, and then to conduct the mass was the last part of a Catholic holy year that Leo opened with his predecessor, Francis, last December, 2024.

Kneeling before the doors, the first US pope, in ivory and gold ceremony robes and mitre, finally closed the doors solemnly after having formed his prayers before them.

“We are so thankful, we are getting ready to close this holy door, are we not, with a multitude of faithful, with the assurance that the good shepherd always has the door of his heart open to receive us, every time we feel fatigued and persecuted,” said Leo, 70.

He went on to the altar, preceded by cardinals in white, where he celebrated a mass with pious people and dignitaries, including the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella.

Celebration of the year is a time of reflection and repentance for over 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.

Vatican officials said Monday that it attracted over 33 million pilgrims to Rome from 185 countries.

Before the holy year was opened, Francis, who passed away in April aged 88, knocked on the same doors before they were opened on December 24, 2024.

When the Church conducts jubilee years (once in every 25 years), pilgrims going through holy doors have a form of fine-free pass to their sins, a sort of plenary indulgence.

Italian tourist guide Gabriella Calciolari, who entered the door on Monday afternoon, described the experience as beautiful.

“It is quite emotional, particularly when one goes through the Holy Door. Not to speak of the entire pilgrimage, as up Via della Conciliazione (which goes to St. Peter) with the cross, arriving at the tomb of Peter, praying,” she said.

This was a two-pope jubilee–the last pope to die on a Holy Year was in 1700.

The Christian baptismal feast of Epiphany is the day when the baby Jesus was visited by the Magi, or three wise men. It glorifies his revelation as the Son of God in the Christian faith.