Logo for the Vatican’s Jubilee 2025 is unveiled

The theme of the upcoming jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope,” depicted by an image of people from around the world holding onto an anchor-like Cross amid a turbulent sea.

The tradition of the jubilee dates back to the year 1300, when Pope Boniface VII called for a period of penitence at a time when Christendom faced great social and political turmoil at the end of the Crusades. Originally held every 100 years, jubilees are today celebrated every 25 years. This Jubilee is the second in Pope Francis’ pontificate, after an extraordinary jubilee for the “Year of Mercy” was held in 2015-2016.

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Vatican, the former President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella revealed the logo that Pope Francis selected from three finalists chosen from among 294 submissions.

“After looking at the projects several times and expressing his preference, the project of Giacomo Travisani was chosen," Archbishop Fisichella said, according to Vatican News. 

Giacomo Travisani, a resident of Puglia, Italy, explained that he was inspired by a vision of people moving forward together “thanks to the wind of Hope that is the Cross of Christ and Christ himself.”

The logo depicts four figures “representing humanity from the four corners of earth,” explained Bishop Fisichella.  As they cling to each other and to the Cross, their “solidarity and fraternity” is emphasized, he said.

The waves beneath the four figures convey that “the pilgrimage of life is not always on calm waters,” Bishop Fisichella said. And the anchor at the foot of the cross symbolizes hope in Christ.

"The anchor of hope, in fact, is the name given in maritime jargon to the reserve anchor" used in case of distress, he said. And finally, the words “Pilgrims of Hope” are written in green, also symbolizing hope.

"May this theme really become authentic content so that the whole world can experience it,” the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, said. “The events of recent years, and especially of recent months, seem to oblige the Church to keep her eyes fixed on this virtue of hope,” he added.

Catholics from all over the world are expected to travel to Rome in 2025 to celebrate the ordinary Jubilee year. Those who pass through St. Peter’s Basilica may obtain extraordinary indulgences.

In the lead-up to the Jubilee year, an app and website will be released, Bishop Fisichella announced. In preparation for the jubilee, he said, the year 2023 would be devoted to the study of the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council, whose Church will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its opening next October. In addition, he said, the year 2024 will be dedicated to prayer to help pilgrims prepare for the Great Jubilee.