Pope opens Holy Door at Rome prison

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Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis opened a Holy Door and celebrated Mass for inmates and staff at Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome today.

Arriving at the prison , the Pope spoke about the importance of opening the Door there. In front of the prison's chapel, the Church of Our Father, he explained that he wanted everyone to "have the opportunity to fling open the doors to their hearts and to understand that hope never disappoints."

After walking through the Holy Door himself, the Pope presided over Mass in the church.

In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the historic reason for his visit, describing it as "a beautiful gesture of opening." But more than simply opening doors, the Pope encouraged the prisoners present, to open their hearts. Brotherhood, he said, is "open hearts." The Pope warned against closed, hardened hearts, which keep us from living. He explained that the Jubilee gives us the grace to "fling open" our hearts to hope. Even in the most difficult and challenging times, he reassured, hope does not disappoint.

Pope Francis likened hope to an anchor on the shore, tied securely with rope. "Sometimes, the rope is hard," he continued, "and it hurts our hands." Yet even in these moments, the anchor of hope keeps us moving forward, because, he said, there is always something ahead of us.

"When one's heart is closed, it becomes hard like stone; it forgets tenderness," the Pope cautioned, expressing this is why it is necessary to keep the doors of our hearts open, even in the most difficult situations. He challenged the prisoners present to be open to hope, encouraging them as he said, "everyone knows how to do it."

Pope Francis also explained that everyone knows if their heart is closed or half-closed, and concluded by reminding those present that the Holy Door he opened is "a sign of the door of our heart."

Pope Francis asked for their prayers, telling the group that he truly prays for them, and that it is "not just a figure of speech."

At the end of the Mass, some of the prisoners and guards presented the Pope with gifts, including a miniature reproduction of the Holy Door and a basket containing oil, cookies, and ceramics.

The Prison Administration gave Pope Francis a painting of Christ as the Saviour created by a former prison officer, artist Elio Lucente. The Pope, in turn, gave the prison a parchment commemorating the event.

Watch the event on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlqDOSve