The Year of Mercy starts 8 December.

Pope Francis has opened the Holy Door in Saint Peter’s Basilica to begin the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The ceremony included readings from some documents from the Second Vatican Council including Dignitatis Humanae and Dei Verbum.

Pope-Emeritus Benedict was also present and also proceeded into the basilica through the Holy Door.

In the evening there will be a show of images projected onto the facade of St Peter's depicting mercy.

The video of the opening of the Holy Door is available to watch here.

Photo: mazur/catholicnews.org