Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica sealed in solemn rite
By Kielce Gussie
Just ten days ago, Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica—the last of the four at the major papal basilicas.
The Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, presided over a private rite on Friday evening to seal the Holy Door of the Basilica—together with the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli.
Remembering the millions of pilgrims who passed through the Holy Door throughout the Jubilee, the Cardinal offered the brief opening prayer for them, asking that they remain steadfast in the faith and in communion with the Successor of Peter.
The rite of sealing
The “sampietrini” or craftsmen of the Fabric of St. Peter have built a wall with about 3,200 bricks, inside the Basilica to seal off the Holy Door.
Within the wall was placed a bronze “capsa” or a container made specifically for the occasion. This “capsa” has been engraved with the coats of arms of both Pope Francis—who opened the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025—and Pope Leo, who closed it.
Inside the “capsa” are a series of items related to the Holy Year, the two pontiffs, and the Jubilee of 2016.
There is a metal container with the parchment attesting to the opening and closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica; two medals from the first year of Leo XIV’s pontificate; a medal corresponding to the final year of Francis’ pontificate; other medals commemorating the decade between the Jubilee of Mercy in 2016 and the one of Hope in 2025; and a medal marking the 2025 Sede Vacante.
This bronze container has then been placed inside a second box made of lead, which was shut and sealed.
At this point, Cardinal Archpriest Gambetti and the Master of Celebrations placed two bricks, ceremonially marking the final phase of the rite of sealing.
The two prelates then recite the Lord’s Prayer and a final blessing, closing the last of these rites of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
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