The jubilee of mercy is one of the most important events in the catholic church you will see millions of pilgrims head for rome to celebrate a year in which the churches of vatican and rome will be thrown open to the public the special jubilee of mercy by pope francis will start on december 8 2015 with the opening of the holy door of st peters basilica and will end on november 20 2016 the initial ritual is marked by the opening of the holy door at st peter and then to follow the othe