Pope opens Holy Year of Mercy at Vatican

By John Phillips

VATICAN CITY

Thousands of Italian police backed by helicopters and snipers were on duty Tuesday as Pope Francis inaugurated a Holy Year of Mercy at the Vatican.

The Pope heralded the year by throwing open the huge bronze Holy Door leading into St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time since his predecessor John Paul II crossed the threshold in 2000.

“Crossing the Holy Door makes us feel part of this mystery of love and tenderness,” Francis said.

Crowds were lower than expected, with 50,000 pilgrims and tourists passing through police metal detectors as they congregated in St. Peter's Square for the opening.

Francis said he had anticipated the opening of the Holy Door during his recent visit to the Central African Republic, adding he was making “this gesture, as I did in Bangui, as simple as it is strongly symbolic, in the light of the Word of God.”

The Jubilee Year of Mercy is intended to show a more open, merciful side of the Roman Catholic Church, in keeping with the Pope’s message since he was elected in March 2013.

The first jubilee year was held by Pope Boniface XIII in 1300 and they encourage pilgrimages to Rome. The last one 15 years ago saw around 25 million pilgrims flock to Rome.

This year, about 10 million faithful are expected to visit the city.

The pope said the opening of the Jubilee recalled the start of the reforming Second Vatican Council 50 years ago.

“Let’s begin again with the same energy and enthusiasm,” he said, asking for a return to the “missionary push” of the council.

Amid terrorism fears, 300 patrols of police and paramilitary Carabinieri were deployed around the Eternal City in a massive security operation involving 2,250 officers, Rome police headquarters said.

Sixteen sharpshooters were posted on roofs surrounding St. Peter’s and a similar number were positioned around the center of Rome, where the 78-year-old Argentinian pontiff travelled by car Tuesday afternoon to place a wreath to mark the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.