Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison. Francis traveled to Rebibbia prison on a frigid morning.

Pope Francis made a visit on Thursday to one of the largest prison complexes in Italy, opening a special "Holy Door" for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, in what the Vatican said was the first such action by a Catholic pontiff.

As the Pope left the Rebibbia prison, he stopped to greet the 300 inmates and staff who had waited outside of the crowded chapel on the cold December morning.

"I wanted all of us, inside or out, to have an opportunity to throw open the doors of our hearts and understand that hope does not disappoint."

Pope Francis urged inmates to never give up hope as he inaugurated the Vatican’s Jubilee Year at the high-security Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome on Thursday.

Seated in his wheelchair in front of the church door, Pope Francis prayed: "In the joy of Christmas, let us welcome the call of the Lord Jesus to follow him. He is the door of life, the hope that does not disappoint, the good news that saves."

The Pope's opening of the Holy Door was part of major events in the Catholic Church’s once-every-quarter-century celebration that is expected to attract about 32 million pilgrims to Rome. #EuropeNews

Marking the Holy Year of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at a prison in Rome on Thursday, offering a message of hope and forgiveness to inmates. "Do not lose hope, that is the message I want to give you,

Pope Francis has inaugurated his Holy Year at Rome’s main prison, taking a message of hope to inmates and involving them in the Catholic Church’s once every quarter-century celebration which is expected to bring about 32 million pilgrims to Rome.

Pope Francis opened a Holy Door at Rome's Rebibbia prison for the Catholic Church's Jubilee 2025 on Thursday, Saint Stephen's Day. It was a historic move as it is the first time a holy door has been opened at a jail.