Venezuela: Jubilee Year 2025 inaugurated in Caracas

The Jubilee Year 2025 was inaugurated in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, by Archbishop Raúl Biord, with a solemn Mass in the Holy Cathedral Church, from where he stated that this period begins in Venezuela “in the midst of tensions, fears and mistrust.”

On the morning of January 6, a procession left from the historic Church of San Francisco — where Simón Bolívar was first awarded the title “Liberator of Venezuela” by the Municipality of Caracas in 1813 — to the Metropolitan Cathedral , in the historic center of the country’s capital.

Bishop Biord at the head of the procession, next to the jubilee cross, opened the doors of the temple and presided over the Eucharist. In his homily, he reviewed the meaning of the Holy Year called by Pope Francis, while denouncing the serious shortcomings suffered by the country and the abuses committed by the leaders of the Chavista regime, some of them sitting in the front row of the Cathedral.

“The economic situation continues to hit millions of brothers who suffer great poverty: may our communities find spaces and initiatives to share with the poorest signs of God’s tenderness and Christian charity,” the archbishop stated in front of the assembly, that crowded the spaces of the temple.

In addition, he criticized the actions of the State security forces, controlled by the ruling party, which has resulted in the detention of more than 1,800 people for political reasons after the presidential elections of July 28, 2024, among whom Until a few days ago, there were dozens of minors.

“During his visit to the Rome prison, the Pope commented: ‘Many of these are not big fish, the big fish have the cunning to stay outside and we have to accompany the prisoners’. The request of the Pope and the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference for the release of the prisoners and the total restitution of their freedoms,” said Bishop Biord.

“I ask for respect for human and citizen rights in a democratic framework of freedom of thought, expression and social action, and also the cessation of all forms of intimidation and hatred wherever it comes from,” he added.

Likewise, he especially greeted the millions of Venezuelans who left the country in the last two decades, in search of a better future, and assured “that this is your home, and here we remember you with affection and we wait for you to continue.” building a broad Venezuela.”

Young people also have a special place in the heart of the newly appointed pastor of the Caracas Church. To those young people “who often see their dreams collapse,” the archbishop addressed his words of encouragement and asked them “not to lose their joy and their dreams for a better future.”

Christian hope, the fundamental axis on which the Jubilee revolves, “does not deceive or disappoint, because it is founded on the certainty that nothing and no one can ever separate us from the love of God,” he remarked.

“May the opening of this Jubilee Year be, for all, an invitation to look at the future with hope and commit ourselves to building it with concrete gestures. May we be able to give a smile, a gesture of friendship, a fraternal look, a sincere listening, a free service, a charity, a step forward. Let us flood Venezuela with hope!” concluded the Archbishop of Caracas.

At the end of the Mass the Papal Bull was read Hope does not disappoint and the faithful were informed about the 12 churches in Caracas where they will be able to receive the jubilee indulgence, in addition to the Metropolitan Cathedral:

• Basilica of Saint Teresa.

• Our Lady of Candelaria.

• Our Lady of Charity of Cobre, in Santa Paula.

• Our Lady of the Incarnation, in El Valle.

• Our Lady of Sorrows, in Magallanes.

• Our Lady of Carmen, in Catia

• Our Lady of the Rosary, in Antímano.

• Holy Family of Nazareth and Saint Josemaría, in La Tahona.

• San Alfonso María Ligorio, in El Paraíso.

• San José, in Chacao.

• San José, in Ñaraulí – Quote.

• St. Peter the Apostle, in Los Chaguaramos.