According to the book, the Pope at the time had considerable doubts as to whether the tradition of the Holy Years associated with the idea of indulgences was still in keeping with the times.
He expressed these doubts in handwritten notes, which have been published in the current book "L'anno santo con Paolo VI" (The Holy Year with Paul VI) by the Vatican publishing house LEV.
The editor is the Italian priest Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household since 2012 and therefore responsible for the smooth running of the papal household.
Deliberate confrontation with modernity
After careful consideration, Paul VI decided to continue the tradition of the Holy Years and thus also to consciously enter into a confrontation with the modern world, it says.
The Pope recorded this in his notes at the time with the words: "Confrontation between faith and the world - the world is developing and tends to absorb, devour and relativise."
He counters this with: "Renewal through adherence to fruitful principles - rediscovery of the kingdom of God - energy and hope (...) return to 'grace'. Conversion, repentance and sacramental forgiveness. (...) Vocation to social responsibility." He summarises three ideas for the Holy Year: "1. revival. 2. confrontation. 3. reform."
Public references to doubts
Pope Paul VI himself hinted at his original doubts about the Holy Year in 1974 in an address 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 - in accordance with the 25-year rhythm."
The first Holy Year since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was a surprisingly great success at the time.
More than nine million pilgrims streamed through the Holy Doors of the papal churches in Rome in 1975.
In the current Holy Year 2025, the Vatican is expecting around 30 million pilgrims.
The most successful Holy Year to date was the year 2000, when around 25 million pilgrims came to Rome, according to Vatican figures.
The first Holy Year took place in 1300 under Pope Boniface VIII.