On December 24, Pope Francis opened the first Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica, inaugurating the Jubilee. This door, bearing 15 bas-relief panels recounting the story of man's redemption, is the most symbolic, marking the launch of the Jubilees since the year 1500.

Rome also offers four other holy doors: those of the three other major basilicas (St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls) and a door opened by the Pope in the Rebibbia prison, as a special sign of attention to the inmates.