Jubilee Year of Mercy: Security tightens as Pope Francis holds special Mass at St. Peter's Square

Pope Benedict XVI, who has lived in seclusion at the Vatican since his resignation in 2013, was in attendance.

Despite heavy rains and heightened security measures at the Vatican, Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass at St. Peter's Square. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI attended Pope Francis' special Mass on the "revolution of tenderness," while the rain did nothing to stop an estimated 50,000 pilgrims from attending.

A no-fly zone was imposed over Rome and roughly 5,000 extra police, carabinieri and soldiers were on duty. The tighter security measures were enacted to protect pilgrims arriving by foot, train, car and plane.

Though it took quite a bit of time, police used metal-detecting wands and checked bags as pilgrims entered the Square. Even nuns were checked, as Rome's authorities worked diligently to thwart potential Paris-style terror attacks at the Vatican.

Pope Francis originally launched the 12-month jubilee in the Central African Republic by pushing open the Holy Door of the Bangui cathedral, but he delivered his special Mass and opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's basilica on Tuesday regardless.

Holy Years are celebrated every 25 to fifty years and have been used to encourage pilgrimages to Rome. When the pilgrims walk through the Holy Door, they receive an indulgence.

Before starting his homily, Pope Francis embraced Pope Benedict, who has lived in seclusion in the Vatican since his resignation in 2013.

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When he delivered his homily, the current pontiff said: "How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy. We have to put mercy before judgment and in any event God's judgment will always be in the light of his mercy.

"The feast of the Immaculate Conception expresses the grandeur of God's love. Not only does he forgive sin, but in Mary he even averts the original sin present in every man and woman who comes into this world. This is the love of God which precedes, anticipates and saves."

Pope Francis added, "To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them."

He continued, clarifying that the encounter was "marked by the power of the Spirit, who impelled the Church to emerge from the shoals which for years had kept her self-enclosed so as to set out once again, with enthusiasm, on her missionary journey.

"It was the resumption of a journey of encountering people where they life: in their cities and homes, in their workplaces. Wherever there are people, the Church is called to reach out to them and to bring the joy of the Gospel."

To read the full transcript of Pope Francis' homily, please visit the

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