All the dioceses of the world are now experiencing the local opening of the Holy Year 2025, which by the will of Pope Francis has as its theme “Pilgrims of hope”. The celebration is also involving many Churches in Asia with significant gestures.
In Shanghai, the opening Mass of the Holy Year was presided over by Bishop Shen Bin in Xujiahui Cathedral. In his homily, Bishop Shen Bin urged all priests and faithful to put into practice the call to hope, fanning the flame with the power of the Word of God. He also called for transforming this hope into concrete actions to become peacemakers, bearers of life, and to bring hope to those in need: to needy brothers and sisters, the poor, the sick, the young, migrants and the lonely elderly. 
In the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, the Jubilee was opened with a celebration presided over by Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien. Priests administered the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the courtyard of the archbishopric. Then in procession, crossing Nha Chung Avenue, the community reached the cathedral forecourt where the renewal of baptismal promises took place, followed by Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family.
In Tokyo, Card. Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi presided over the opening celebration of the Jubilee in St Mary’s Cathedral. For the big metropolis, as many as 15 churches have been designated as destinations for the Jubilee pilgrimage. 
In the Philippines, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan and President of the Bishops’ Conference, appealed for the release of at least political prisoners in the Holy Year. He did so on 26 December, celebrating Mass in the Bagong Diwa prison in Bicutan on the day Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in the Rebibbia prison. “I will consider it a wonderful gesture on the part of the government,” said Card. David – if at the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the last political prisoners still languishing in prison after several decades of waiting for trial will be granted amnesty, pardon or permanent release on humanitarian grounds”