Pope Francis urged inmates to never give up hope as he inaugurated the Vatican’s Jubilee Year at the high-security Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome on Thursday.

The pope opened a “Holy Door” at a prison for the first time in history to mark the Catholic Church’s year-long celebration, which is expected to attract more than 30 million pilgrims to the Eternal City throughout 2025.

Speaking to hundreds of inmates, guards and staff at Rebibbia, Francis said he wanted to open the door to the prison chapel, one of only five to be opened during the Holy Year, as a way of sending a message of hope.

“I like to think of hope as the anchor on the shore and with the rope we are safe,” he said. “Do not lose hope.”

During his visit, Francis left his wheelchair, knocked on the door of the chapel and stepped across the threshold, duplicating a gesture he performed at the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve.

“I wanted each of us here, inside and out, to have the possibility of flinging open the door of our hearts and understanding that hope doesn’t disappoint,” he said.