What is a Jubilee Year?

In the Catholic tradition, a Jubilee Year is a special year of grace, conversion, and penance, marked by pilgrimage and the reception of indulgences. It typically occurs every 25 years, though extraordinary Jubilees can be declared. Announced by the late Pope Francis, the theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.” In his letter Hope Does Not Disappoint, Pope Francis proclaims that “the Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope… like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives.”