The theme for Jubilee 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis announced this theme to emphasise the hope required for a world enduring the consequences of war, the persistent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis.

The Pope writes in the Bull of Indiction entitled Spes non confundit (Hope does not disappoint), that this Jubilee Year is dedicated to the full participation of the people’s declaration of hope in God’s grace and in the signs that demonstrate its effect on our lives.

A significant aspect of the Jubilee Year is the pilgrimage traditionally associated with the human’s search for the meaning of life. The Pope refers to the Jubilee as an opportunity for renewed hope, as we are inspired throughout life, experiencing the beauty of creation, and thanking God for His blessings.

The Gospel of Luke describes Jesus’ mission of hope as He encountered others and brought about liberation and conversion through His relationships:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
(Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2).

Pope Francis expressed the wish that the two years prior to the Jubilee be years of preparation for this special event in the Church. Therefore, 2023 was dedicated to a process through which we rediscovered the conciliar teachings on matters related to the liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), the Church (Lumen Gentium), Sacred Scripture (Dei Verbum), and the relationship of the Church with the contemporary world (Gaudium et Spes). 2024 was a year fully dedicated to prayer, so that our hope may find its roots in listening and in our encounter with God.