On the final day of 2025, Pope Leo XIV conducted a vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica reflecting on the year’s Holy Jubilee, a once-in-25-years event that drew millions of faithful pilgrims to Rome. During his homily, the pontiff expressed his hope that the city continues to embrace foreigners and vulnerable populations, including the young and elderly.
The Pope acknowledged the efforts of Rome's residents and volunteers who facilitated the movement of large crowds through St. Peter’s Basilica and the passage via the Holy Door. He underscored the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had inaugurated the Holy Year on December 24, 2024, with a call for Rome to be a more inclusive and welcoming city. Leo XIV voiced a desire to see this spirit not only maintained but enhanced following this profound period of grace.
In his address, the Pope articulated a wish that Rome honors and cares for its most fragile inhabitants: children, isolated elderly individuals, struggling families, and men and women who have journeyed from distant lands in search of dignity and a better life.
The New Year’s Eve service was attended by notable figures including Rome's Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries, reflecting the event's significance to the city’s social and civic life.
The Jubilee of 2025 was particularly historic as it coincided with the transition in the papacy following Pope Francis’s death in April. The election of Pope Leo XIV marked the first time an American ascended to the position, adding an unprecedented element to the eventful year.
Statistics released by the Vatican indicate approximately 3.2 million participants engaged in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers, and Jubilee events throughout 2025. Attendance was initially subdued due to Pope Francis’s extended illness and hospitalization early in the year but surged following Pope Leo XIV’s election in May.