Pope Leo XIV Proclaims Special Year of St. Francis, Highlights Peace and Reconciliation in Jubilee Message

Vatican City, January 13, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a Special Year of St. Francis to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, granting the faithful the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence until January 2027.

The Franciscan Jubilee Year, presented as a gift to the entire Church and a call to authentic spiritual renewal, was officially inaugurated on January 10 through a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.

Under the decree, the faithful may obtain the plenary indulgence until January 10, 2027 by fulfilling the usual conditions of sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope, along with a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world. The decree also extends this grace to the elderly, the sick and those unable to travel, who may obtain the indulgence by spiritually uniting themselves with the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, sufferings and hardships to God.

Reflecting on the meaning of the Jubilee, the decree observes that in a world where “the virtual takes over the real”, social violence and divisions have become part of daily life and peace appears increasingly fragile. Against this backdrop, the Year of St. Francis invites everyone to imitate the poor man of Assisi and to shape their lives, as far as possible, on the model of Christ.

For the Orders of Friars Minor, the Jubilee Year is described as a special opportunity for the faithful to become “models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace”.

On the occasion of the anniversary, Pope Leo XIV wrote a letter to the ministers general of the Conference of the Franciscan Family, issued in Assisi on January 10. In the message, the Pope recalled that eight centuries after the death of St. Francis, his message of peace continues to speak powerfully to the Church and society. He underlined that peace is not the result of human effort alone, but a gift from God that must be welcomed and lived daily.

The Pope noted that in an age marked by prolonged wars and deep social and internal divisions that generate mistrust and fear, St. Francis speaks not by offering technical solutions, but because his life points to the true source of peace. He further stressed that the Franciscan vision of peace extends beyond human relationships to embrace all of creation, reminding the world that peace with God, peace among peoples and peace with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.

In his letter, Pope Leo XIV prayed that the example and spiritual legacy of St. Francis would inspire the faithful to trust in the Lord, live the Gospel faithfully and become unarmed and disarming witnesses of Christ’s peace in

a divided world.

Compiled by Catholic Connect Reporter

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