Shocking revelation. Pope Paul VI considered abolishing Holy Years.

Book reveals: Pope Paul VI considered abolishing Holy Years

Holy Years are among the most successful major events of the Catholic Church. They bring many millions of people to Rome as pilgrims. Fifty years ago, this ancient tradition was on the brink of collapse, as has now become known.

The tradition of Holy Years in Rome was facing potential extinction 50 years ago. This is evident from previously unpublished notes by Council Pope Paul VI (1963–1978), which have now been documented in a book in the Vatican.

According to these notes, the then Pope had considerable doubts as to whether the tradition of Holy Years, linked to the idea of indulgences, was still relevant today. He expressed these doubts in handwritten notes published in the recent book "L'anno santo con Paolo VI" (The Holy Year with Paul VI) by the Vatican publishing house LEV. The editor is Italian Archbishop Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household since 2012 and thus responsible for the smooth running of the papal household.

Conscious confrontation with modernity

After careful consideration, Paul VI decided to continue the tradition of Holy Years and thus consciously engage with the modern world, it states. The Pope recorded this in his notes at the time with the words: "Confrontation between faith and the world – the world evolves and tends to absorb, devour, and relativize."

He counters this with: "Renewal through adherence to fruitful principles – rediscovery of the Kingdom of God – energy and hope (...) return to 'grace'. Conversion, penance, and sacramental forgiveness. (...) call to social responsibility." In summary, he identifies three ideas for the Holy Year: "1. Revival. 2. Confrontation. 3. Reform."

Public indications of doubt

Pope Paul VI himself hinted at his initial doubts about the Holy Year in 1974 in a speech announcing the Holy Year. At the time, he said: "After prayer and reflection, we have decided to celebrate the coming year 1975 as a Holy Year – according to the 25-year cycle."

The first Holy Year since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) was a surprisingly great success. More than nine million pilgrims streamed through the Holy Doors of the Papal churches in Rome in 1975. In the current Holy Year of 2025, the Vatican expects around 30 million pilgrims. The most successful Holy Year to date was 2000, when, according to Vatican census figures, around 25 million pilgrims came to Rome. The first Holy Year took place in 1300 under Pope Boniface VIII.

Source

See also 

The day the Holy Door almost fell on Paul VI