Pope Francis made a visit on Thursday to one of the largest prison complexes in Italy, opening a special "Holy Door" for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, in what the Vatican said was the first such action by a Catholic pontiff.

The pope opened the Jubilee Holy Doors praying that the Holy Spirit would soften hearts so that "enemies may speak to each other again."

Pope Francis will kick off the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church at 19:00 Italian time on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, by opening the 'Holy Door' of St Peter's Basilica. By walking through the Holy Door over the next 12 months,