Pope Leo XIV declares Jubilee Year of St. Francis for 800th anniversary of saint’s death

VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 a “Special Year of St. Francis” in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of his death.

The Franciscan Jubilee Year was inaugurated by a decree issued on January 10 by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.

Until January 10, 2027, Catholic faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship named after St. Francis or connected to him, under the usual conditions: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope.

The indulgence can be obtained for oneself or the souls in Purgatory by those “who, with a spirit detached from sin, will participate in the Year of St. Francis by visiting in the form of a pilgrimage any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world named after St. Francis or connected to him for any reason, and there they will devoutly follow the Jubilee rites or spend at least a suitable period of time in pious meditation and will raise prayers to God so that, following the example of Saint Francis, may sentiments of Christian charity towards one’s neighbour and authentic wishes for harmony and peace among peoples spring up in hearts, concluding with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis of Assisi, St Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan Family.”

The sick and elderly and those who, for serious reasons, are unable to leave their homes will be able to obtain a plenary indulgence as well by joining “spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations of the Year of St. Francis, offering their prayers to the Merciful God, the pains or sufferings of one’s life.”

In a world where “the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ,” the decree reads.

In a letter addressed to the ministers general of the Franciscan Family Conference, Pope Leo said that “in this era, marked by so many seemingly endless wars, by internal and social divisions that create distrust and fear, he continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.”

St. Francis of Assisi (born 1181, died 1226) is the founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). He was born into a wealthy family but chose to live in poverty and serve the poor after a profound conversion to the faith. He received the stigmata two years before his death and is revered as one of the most important saints of the Middle Ages and the entire history of the Church.