He made the remarks a day after the start of the Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year, known as a Jubilee, which takes place every quarter century. On Tuesday evening, Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the first pilgrims could go through. Millions more are expected to follow over the year.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in west Jackson held a Christmas mass earlier Wednesday. The parish has roughly a thousand households, representing six continents and many countries. The church’s aim is to continue celebrating, proclaiming and living the joy of the gospel in Jackson and Madison County.