The Holy See and the Eternal City have always had a spiritual way of seamlessly weaving the divine into the every day. With the independent city state enclave and the Italian capital, revered faith and glorious history have long marched together, hand-in-hand, its four papal basilicas devotedly safeguard their respective sacred gateways — The Holy Doors.

These much-awaited portals, meticulously sealed with cement and mortar and opened only during declared Jubilee Years — with a few rare exceptions through the years, as ordered by the incumbent pope — were not simply architectural features. They are symbols of passage from the weight of the past into the possibility of renewal, from damnation to grace.

These Porta Sanctas are believed to absolve and grant the much-sought-after plenary indulgence at the time of the remission of sins — all forgiven, released from the guilt, penalties and consequences of wrongdoings — after one has passed through.

At St. Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Door stood as both an everlasting threshold and a treasured promise. Flocking it were several young active pilgrims — hundreds, perhaps even a thousand — all attending the World Youth Day, presided by Pope Leo XIV the day before at the little town of Tor Vergata within the city outskirts.

My siblings and I found ourselves surrounded by seemingly countless groups of youths from all over the world, led by one bearing a cross, another with a flag with the country they represented and yet a third one with a musical instrument, all in procession from different directions, their music and hymns filling the air.

It was a challenge — I would admit almost impossible – to take a photo. A continuous steady flow of spoilers — of “photobombers” as my grandniece Ana would complain. But then again, that was the point — to capture the essence of it all — as it truly was hopelessly crowded.

The first basilica on this site rose in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine. By the High Middle Ages, it had become a popular pilgrimage destination of the Western world. In the year 1506, Pope Julius II had ordered the demolition of the original structure to make way for a grander house of prayer.

What followed then were monumental projects, to involve Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo — masters all, simply known by their mononyms. Much later, Bernini, who developed the Baroque style of sculpture, beautifully completed the interiors of the magnificence, seen, admired and awed today.

During the present Jubilee Year, from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026 — the late Pope Francis himself ceremoniously opened the door — and since then, prayerful pilgrims have eagerly crossed — as they had dreamt of — through one of the most sacred spaces in Christendom.

The Basilica of Saint Paul Beyond The Walks held the second Holy Door, reminding everyone it had been constructed outside the ancient city limits. After the Edict of Milan in 313, Emperor Constantine graciously donated two basilicas to the faithful — one for Peter, one for Paul.

At this domain, devout pilgrims honored the Apostle to the Gentiles. And soon, the numbers grew in massive proportions, too numerous for the original structure. By the 5th century, Theodosius, Valentinian II and Arcadius — all emperors — had demanded for a larger church, reoriented so that it faced west. What we marvel at today — after a devastating fire — was completed in the 19th century, consecrated by Pope Pius IX in 1854.

Within the walls, we discovered the iron chain which, according to tradition, had bound Saint Paul to his guard while imprisoned in Rome.

We next noticed the familiar medallions of every pope along the nave. I recall from past visits only a few spaces remained unfilled — a sight that inspired whispers of legend: when all the blanks are taken, it would signal the world’s end. Our amiable and knowledgeable tour guide Mauro reassured that more slots had been quietly added. But the myth persists, as does the wonder.

The third door: St. John Lateran — formally the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist — is Rome’s oldest public church. Though tourists often do St. Peter’s their first stop, it is here, on the Caelian Hill, where the Pope’s official ecclesiastical seat lay. In essence, this is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome.