Pope Leo Closes Holy Year with a Call for Kindness Toward Foreigners

Post by : Saif Nasser

Pope Leo formally closed the Catholic Church’s Holy Year on Tuesday at the Vatican, ending a historic period of prayer, reflection, and pilgrimage. As he sealed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope delivered a strong message calling on Christians around the world to show kindness, especially toward foreigners and people in need.

The Holy Year, also known as a Jubilee, is held about once every 25 years. It is a special time for forgiveness, peace, and spiritual renewal. During this period, pilgrims are allowed to pass through special Holy Doors at major churches in Rome and attend papal events. This Holy Year drew an estimated 33.5 million pilgrims to Rome, making it one of the most widely attended in modern times.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Pope Leo warned against treating people as objects or tools for profit. He said modern society often turns human movement, travel, and hope into business transactions. He asked believers to reflect on what they learned during the Holy Year and whether they could now see a neighbor in a foreigner and a seeker in a stranger.

Care for immigrants has been a central theme of Pope Leo’s early papacy. In his address, he encouraged Christians to look beyond borders and fear, and instead respond with compassion. He stressed that faith should lead to action, especially in helping those who are poor, displaced, or searching for a better life.

The closing of the Holy Year was also historic for another reason. It was opened by Pope Francis and closed by Pope Leo, an event that has not happened in more than 300 years. Pope Francis passed away in April after leading the Church for 12 years. Pope Leo, his successor and the first pope from the United States, has promised to continue many of Francis’ key priorities.

Pilgrims who attended the Jubilee came from 185 countries, with large numbers from Italy, the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Poland. Vatican officials said the event showed the global reach of the Catholic Church and the shared desire for peace and renewal.

Looking ahead, the next regular Holy Year is not expected before 2033, when the Church may mark 2,000 years since the death of Jesus. Until then, Pope Leo urged believers to carry the spirit of the Holy Year into daily life by choosing kindness over fear and care over profit.