At the turn of the millennium, the world faced a crisis as the overwhelming burden of debt trapped the poorest nations in cycles of poverty. In response, the Jubilee 2000 campaign emerged as a historic movement, calling for debt cancellation and rooted in the biblical vision of Jubilee. This profound act of societal reset—where debts were forgiven and societal imbalances were addressed—united millions in a global demand for justice, solidarity, and faith-driven advocacy. With figures such as Pope John Paul II, Bono, and Wangari Maathai rallying behind the cause, the campaign succeeded in securing over $100 billion in debt relief for 35 nations, leaving an enduring legacy for global justice.

As we look toward 2025, the call for Jubilee is more urgent than ever. Pope Francis’ Jubilee Campaign, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” builds upon the success of Jubilee 2000 but adapts it to the complexities of today’s world. The new campaign responds to rising inequality, climate change, and the aftermath of a global pandemic, emphasizing the transformative power of the Jubilee vision. It calls for faith communities and organizations to lead the charge for justice, reconciliation, and ecological responsibility.

The Meaning of Jubilee in Modern Times

In its biblical foundation, Jubilee—outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy—was a time of liberation: debts forgiven, captives freed, and land restored to its rightful stewards. Leviticus 25:10 states, “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.” This sacred practice aimed to restore balance in society and offer a divine reset, healing communities fractured by inequality and exploitation. Similarly, Deuteronomy 15:1-2 instructs that every seven years, “you must cancel debts.” This divine mandate was not just for individual or family restoration, but for societal transformation, ensuring justice, equity, and liberation for all.

Jubilee 2025 draws deeply from these principles, addressing the interconnected crises of justice, ecology, and human dignity. Faith-based organizations and ecumenical movements are at the forefront of this movement.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), which represents over 230 churches across 100 countries, is actively engaging with the Jubilee’s call for systemic change. With its long-standing advocacy for justice, the WCRC is urging its member churches to engage in ecological restoration, challenge inequality, and advocate for the transformation of global power structures. As Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the WCRC, explains:

“As the jubilee year 2025 approaches, we are reminded of the many who are burdened by chains of debt. Much of these debts are results of the unjust economic structures and systems that pertain today. In a number of countries, by the ratio of the national debt to the GDP, even unborn babies owe thousands of US dollars or Euros. God’s design is for years of jubilee in which freeing of people and communities from the burden of debt becomes a sign of participating in God’s righteousness. It is my prayer that the impact of the jubilee campaign will lead to debt eradication that will provide a better place for meaningful life. The WCRC’s commitment to NIFEA is an expression of this commitment,” said Nyomi.

Building on this vision, Athena Peralta, programme executive for Economic and Ecological Justice at the World Council of Churches (WCC), highlights the broader implications of debt cancellation: “The ecumenical NIFEA initiative joins with Caritas and others in calling for a debt jubilee for impoverished and climate-vulnerable countries. It is an injustice that these countries are forced to service their debts at the expense of social protection, health, and education of their citizens. From a NIFEA perspective, debt cancellation is also about reparations for historical climate and colonial debt,” said Peralta.

Dr. Nyomi’s and Peralta’s words together underscore the theological and moral imperative to address these entrenched economic injustices. The WCRC sees Jubilee as a path toward both societal and environmental renewal, highlighting the urgent need for ecological justice, especially as climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.

Lessons from Jubilee 2000

Jubilee 2000’s impact continues to serve as both a guide and a source of inspiration for the Jubilee 2025 campaign. The previous movement showcased the power of grassroots mobilization, economic literacy, and collective action. With 21 million people signing the Jubilee 2000 petition and symbolic actions such as the human chain at the 1998 G7 summit in Birmingham, Jubilee 2000 proved that ordinary citizens could make a global impact. Today we recognize that many nations who had their debt cancelled have fallen back into debt. We also recognize that debt is not the fault of the debtors but is instead a systemic issue built into our present economic system, which profits from debt. Today, Jubilee 2025 seeks to build on that legacy of 2000, with the WCRC and other faith communities calling for practical, collective efforts to tackle climate injustice, economic exploitation, and systemic inequality.

Hope as an Active Commitment

The spirit of Jubilee is a call for systemic and structural reform to neoliberal economic systems—an economic system that is just not working for the majority of the world. It is a call to hope and perseverance. The WCRC’s 2024 Christmas message underscores that hope is not passive but requires active participation. “The Christmas story inspires us to persevere through all challenges, offering hope to those who struggle and whose journey through injustice feels long and arduous.” This message aligns with the biblical call for Jubilee, which insists on tangible action to embody justice and compassion in a fractured world.

Jubilee 2025 invites faith communities to assess and challenge the systems that perpetuate oppression. Whether through economic exploitation, climate injustice, or other forms of systemic harm, the campaign calls for a prophetic voice that advocates for those who have been left behind. Pope Francis’ emphasis on being “pilgrims of hope” underscores the need for solidarity as we walk toward a future marked by equity, reconciliation, and transformation.

A Call to Action

As we move toward 2025, the Jubilee 2025 campaign serves as a clarion call for all people—faith communities, global citizens, and policymakers—to unite under the banner of justice and renewal. The spirit of Jubilee is more than just a call for debt cancellation; it is a call to restore equity, reconcile divisions, and protect the earth. Like Jubilee 2000, this new campaign seeks to inspire collective action, confront global injustices, and restore the balance of power.

In a time of growing uncertainty, the timeless message of Jubilee reminds us of the transformative potential of faith-driven action. It challenges us to imagine a world restored and to work tirelessly to make that vision a reality. As we step into 2025, let us join together as “pilgrims of hope,” walking forward with courage, conviction, and a deep commitment to building a more just and equitable world for all.