Pope Leo XIV Seals the Holy Door, Concluding the Jubilee Year of Hope

On Tuesday, in observance of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Pope Leo XIV officiated at Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, attended by approximately 5,800 worshippers. At the commencement of the Mass, the Pope sealed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which was the final Holy Door to be opened for the Jubilee Year. This act symbolized the conclusion of several months during which “a stream of innumerable men and women, pilgrims of hope,” traversed the entrance of the Basilica, embarking on a journey toward what the Pope referred to as “the new Jerusalem, the city whose doors are always open.”

The Wise Men and Herod

In his homily, the Pope reflected on the Gospel of the Day from the book of Matthew, emphasizing the contrasting emotions of joy experienced by the Magi and the fear felt by Herod. He pointed out that Scripture consistently acknowledges the tension inherent in God's revelation. “Whenever Sacred Scripture discusses God revealing Himself,” he remarked, “it does not conceal the differing responses, such as joy and distress, defiance and compliance, fear and desire.”

He further noted that the Epiphany unveils a God whose presence transforms all circumstances: “Today we commemorate the Epiphany of the Lord, recognizing that nothing remains unchanged in His presence.” The Pope elaborated that this divine manifestation signifies the dawn of hope. The presence of God “brings a conclusion to the melancholic complacency that leads individuals to repeatedly proclaim, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’” Rather, “a new beginning emerges that shapes both the present and the future,” thereby realizing the prophetic assurance: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”

Nevertheless, it is Jerusalem, a city familiar with revelation, that finds itself troubled by the quest of the Magi, as the Pope remarked. He observed that those well-versed in the Scriptures and who “believe they possess all the answers” appear to have forfeited the capacity to inquire and nurture a sense of yearning. The arrival of individuals “inspired by hope” unsettles the city, as they are perceived as a threat to what ought to be a source of joy. “This response,” he stated, “also poses a challenge for us as a Church.”

The Quest of Contemporary Individuals

In his reflection on the Jubilee, Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to contemplate the spiritual quests of contemporary individuals. He posed the questions, “Who are these men and women, and what drives them?” and “What discoveries have they made? What resides in their hearts, their inquiries, their emotions?” He emphasized that, akin to the Magi, many individuals today feel an urgent need to embark on their own journeys. “The Magi continue to exist in our times,” he asserted, highlighting those who “recognize the necessity to venture forth and seek, embracing the inherent risks of their expedition,” even in a world that frequently presents challenges and dangers.

According to the Pope, the Gospel urges the Church to embrace the quest of humanity rather than fear it, encouraging a direction toward God, who provides sustenance. This is not a deity that can be manipulated. “He is a God who can disturb us because he does not remain securely within our grasp like the idols fashioned from silver and gold; rather, he is vibrant and life-giving, akin to the infant whom Mary held close and whom the wise men revered.”

Consequently, sacred sites are required to convey a sense of vitality. The Pope remarked that jubilee pilgrimage locations “must diffuse the aroma of life, the unforgettable realization that another world has begun.” He subsequently inquired: “Is there life within our Church? Is there room for the emergence of something new? Do we cherish and declare a God who sets us on a journey?”

In opposition stands Herod, whose anxiety over the potential loss of authority skews his reaction to the actions of God. The Pope observed that Herod “fears for his throne and is agitated about those things that he feels are beyond his control.” He cautioned that “fear, he warned, does indeed blind us.” Conversely, the joy of the Gospel “liberates us,” enabling believers to be “prudent, yes, but also bold, attentive and creative,” while paving the way for “paths different from those already traveled.”

At the Core of the Epiphany

Concluding his homily, Pope Leo emphasized that at the core of the Epiphany lies a gift that is beyond purchase or manipulation. He stated, “The child whom the Magi adore is a priceless and immeasurable Good.” This revelation occurs not in an esteemed setting but in a modest one; nevertheless, it is proclaimed to Bethlehem, “You are by no means least.”

“It is a remarkable experience to embrace the role of pilgrims of hope,” stated the Pope. “It is truly wonderful for us to persist in our journey as pilgrims together.” In conclusion, he emphasized that if the Church avoids the transformation into a mere monument and instead remains a welcoming home, she may indeed emerge as “the generation of a new dawn,” perpetually guided by Mary, Star of the Morning, towards “an extraordinary humanity, not altered by the illusions of the all-powerful, but by God who took on flesh out of love.”