WATCH: Pope Francis crosses the threshold of the Holy Door, “Gates of Mercy”, with young people

The start of the prayer vigil with the young people in Campus Misericordiae

An in the Year of Mercy why do Holy Doors matter?

Pope Francis says, “On that day, the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.” Doors are very symbolic. They can represent passage: sin to redemption, life to death, disbelief to faith, and so on. Jesus describes himself as The Door. People have to enter through Christ to get to the Father. The door is the path to salvation.

The Year of Mercy is meant for everyone, in every possible way:

There is a special plenary indulgence for the Jubilee Year, which can be obtained by visiting a Holy Door, either in Rome or in one’s local diocese, and making a profession of faith. During the Year of Mercy, the Jubilee indulgence can also be earned by carrying out one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy.

The church still believes in indulgences? Oh, yes…see the primer on all that, here.