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Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Pope Francis opens a "Holy Door" at St Peter's Basilica to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Photo by VINCENZO PINTO The unlocking of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve by Pope Francis — the event that kicked off the 2025 Jubilee — heralded the start of a historic event taking place every 25 years and that will end with the closing of the door on January 6, 2026. The opening of the Holy Door, watched on screens by thousands of faithful outside in St Peter's Square, means that during the next 12 months Catholic pilgrims from around the world will be able to pass through the door that is walled at all other times to get a "plenary indulgence," which means forgiveness for their sins. Other Holy Doors in Rome's three major basilicas and in Catholic churches around the world are also being opened. During the year-long Vatican Jubilee , a church tradition dating back to the 15th century encouraging the faithful to make pilgrimages to Rome, and amid serious security fears by authorities, millions of worshippers from around the world are expected to descend upon Italy’s capital and other Catholic landmarks around Italy to seek indulgence. The Jubilee 2025 logo Pope Francis Jubilee And Pilgrims By The Millions More than 35 million attendees are expected in Rome alone, according to Italy’s National Tourist Research Institute — nearly three times the numbers recorded in 2023. “Pilgrimage,” as explained by Pope Francis, is “fundamental” during jubilees: “Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.” For the Jubilee 2025 celebration, Rome has been prepared to sparkle and shine with key projects only finished in the last few days following months of work that turned much of the city into a building site. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it had taken a "little civil miracle" to get the project finished in time. Well-known sites and artworks in Rome and at the Vatican including St. Peter’s Basilica have been restored. Also buffed up are Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona and Bernini’s angels on the Ponte Sant’Angelo. Monuments such as the Trevi Fountain and the Ponte Sant'Angelo have been cleaned up and roads redesigned to improve the flow of traffic. Religious souvenirs and prayer cards featuring Pope Francis (Papa Francesco) displayed near Vatican City in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year Security Efforts And Worries As preparation get underway in the “eternal city,” not everyone is happy: “Romans are gesticulating in overdrive and griping in snarled traffic as the Eternal City overhauls piazzas, fountains, bridges and tunnels,” the Washington Post reports. “Even more are ranting about surging rents and greedy landlords poised to cash in on a coming tsunami of tourists.” Some 700 security officers are being deployed around the Vatican and Rome. Still, many residents worry about how the Eternal City is going to cope with millions more visitors at sites that are already overcrowded and with public transport jammed and unreliable. Piazza Navona Square during renovation works for the Jubilee of the year 2025 The Sites To Visit Among the sites most visited by Jubilee visitors will be the Christian catacombs and seven major pilgrim churches that are popular destinations among Catholics since St. Philip Neri in the 16th century made his 15-mile walk: the basilicas of St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Lawrence, Holy Cross and St. Sebastian. Another 12 churches around Rome have been designated “Jubilee churches” and are included in the itinerary. Given the massive numbers of visitors, anyone planning to visit Rome is advised to make advance reservations for accommodations, tickets and transport. An increase in tourists tax is also expected. Hope And Patience The Jubilee is intended as a period of reflection and penance and organized around the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” with the concepts of hope and patience placed at the center of the celebration and primarily aimed at the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. “Everyone knows what it is to hope,” Pope Francis wrote. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.” Pope Francis also described patience as a “virtue closely linked to hope,” yet can feel elusive in “our fast-paced world where we are used to wanting everything now.” Faithful gather in front of the basilica at St Peter's square during the Christmas Eve mass launching Jubilee 2025. Photo by Alberto Pizzoli The Reward: Indulgence For those pilgrims following the Catholic church’s commandments for the 2025 Jubilee, there are spiritual rewards that include the granting of indulgences. The sacrament of Confession in Catholicism is one way to get sins pardoned, releasing the sinner from eternal punishment. Indulgences permit the removal of “the temporal punishment of sin that may remain and the consequence of the wrongdoing that might disrupt the sinner’s relationships with others.” Catholics, as reported by the Associated Press, can obtain an indulgence if they: — Undertake a pious pilgrimage, participating in Masses and other sacraments, at any of the four papal basilicas in Rome or the Holy Land, or other sacred Jubilee sites “so as to manifest the great need for conversion and reconciliation.” — Participate in works of charity, mercy or penance, such as visiting prisoners, sick people or elderly people or undertaking corporal works of mercy “to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.” — Abstain, in a spirit of penance, for at least one day of the week from “futile distractions” such as social media or from “superfluous consumption” such as fasting; or donating the proportionate sum to the poor or to help migrants. Most Important Events For Jubilee 2025 Among the main events scheduled throughout the year are a long list of cultural and religious meetings including masses, exhibitions, conferences and concerts. Also central to the celebration are Jubilee gatherings with liturgies, speakers and papal audiences for different groups: For example: From January 24-26, the Jubilee of the World of Communications; on February 8 and 9, the Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel; from February 15-18, Jubilee for artists; from February 21-23 for deacons; from May 10-11 for marching bands; from April 25-27, Jubilee of Teenagers; and from July 28-August 3, Jubilee of Young People. Along with the special gatherings, there will be canonisations and the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, from which Christians received the Nicene Creed. The Jubilee Year concludes with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2026. Other major basilicas will close on December 28, 2025. MORE FROM FORBES Editorial Standards Forbes Accolades Join The Conversation One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Forbes Community Guidelines Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service. We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information Spam Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author Content that otherwise violates our site's terms. 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It gives pupils at the school access to more than 80 golf courses, including St Andrews, Pebble Beach, and Augusta National. The simulator is designed to be a learning tool, providing detailed analysis of each shot. The system tracks ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and club path. The school believes this technology will 'transform' the way pupils learn to play the sport. Professional PGA golf coach at Windlesham House, Rob Callaghan, who is also the Sussex County girls coach and England golf regional coach for the South-East, will use the simulator's advanced features to provide personalised instruction and develop tailored training programmes for each student. He said: "We've seen promising progress from our pupils since the installation. "The combination of professional coaching and immediate feedback from the simulator has helped our pupils to make rapid improvements in their technique and has boosted their overall understanding of the game. "Pupils can now review their swing mechanics in real-time and make adjustments based on precise data and expert guidance." The simulator provides year-round practice, regardless of weather conditions, making it an 'invaluable training resource' for the school. The technology has not only enhanced the golf programme but has also increased interest in the sport among pupils. This new addition complements the school's existing nine-hole physical golf course on campus.
Christopher Nolan is following his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” with a true epic: Homer’s “The Odyssey.” It will open in theaters on July 17, 2026, Universal Pictures said Monday. Details remain scarce, but the studio teased that it will be a “mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX technology.” It will also be the first time that an adaptation of Homer’s saga will play on IMAX film screens. Nolan has been an IMAX enthusiast for years, going back to “The Dark Knight,” and has made his last three films exclusively using large format film and the highest resolution film cameras. For “Oppenheimer,” the first black-and-white IMAX film stock was developed. Nolan hasn’t said specifically what the new technology for “The Odyssey” will be, but earlier this month he told The Associated Press that they’re in an intensive testing phase with IMAX to prepare for the new production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” Nolan said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” “The Odyssey” will be Nolan’s second collaboration with Universal Pictures following “Oppenheimer,” which earned nearly $1 billion at the box office and won the filmmaker his first Oscars, including for best director and best picture . Rumors about his next project have been swirling ever since, with near-daily speculations about plot — none of which turned out to be true — and casting. While there are many reports about actors joining the ensemble, none has been officially confirmed by the studio. Lindsey Bahr, The Associated PressEuropean countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad's fall
Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?regularly , who turns two in January, and it seems the . Taking to her social media feeds on Friday, the mother-of-one shared several glimpses inside their celebrations. Among the sweet images shared was one of Minnie standing at the side of the family's bathtub with a reindeer balloon. The little , although Minnie's hadn't started flowing down her shoulders yet. Another image in the carousel seemed to indicate what Minnie got for Christmas, with the shared a picture of a buggy adorned with Peppa Pig print, alongside a plush toy of the titular character. Most read In her caption, Stacey wrote: "Hope you had the BEST BEST DAY Sending love and joy ONLY S x." Fans quickly commented on the photo, as one penned: "Hope you had a lovely Christmas. Looks like Minnie's got her hands full with a very cute Rudolph the red nosed reindeer and a sparkly Peppa Pig, perfect." A second added: "Merry Christmas to you and Kev, Stac all the best," while a third said: "Our house is full of Peppa pig stuff too, merry Christmas." Fans have long and last month, the pair were identical when they . Minnie rocked a pair of olive-hued ballet pumps with her fairy-like white tulle dress and carried a crossbody bag. She accessorised with a bright necklace adored with vibrant charms. Stacey, who chooses not to share her daughter's face online, looked equally chic in a sheer power suit for the romantic occasion. The former winner slipped into metallic floaty trousers paired with a loose-fitting pearly-hued shirt, layering with a vibrant ocean blue bag and strappy heels. Stacey and Kevin , with Kevin announcing the news via Instagram with the sweetest message: "Our daughter is here. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen. So proud of u @sjdooley. Love u Minnie, Love u Stace x." In an interview with last year, Stacey said: "Becoming a mother myself I have a whole newfound respect for my own mum. It changes the dynamics. I have an amazing partner, a stable job, a home, no massive complications and it's still so daunting and knackering at times. "My mum was a single parent before meeting my stepdad and I just have no idea how single parents do it. Actual heroes, honestly."
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