Leo XIV Opens Franciscan Jubilee Year for Global Church
Pope Leo XIV has formally proclaimed a Franciscan Jubilee Year to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, inviting the global Church into a period of spiritual renewal extending through January 2027. The initiative was inaugurated with a decree issued on January 10 by the Apostolic Penitentiary, framing the anniversary as a moment of grace rather than commemoration alone. During this time, the faithful are offered the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence, reinforcing the Church’s emphasis on reconciliation, conversion, and interior renewal. The Jubilee is presented as a gift to the entire Church, rooted in the enduring witness of Franciscan spirituality and its call to simplicity, fraternity, and peace in a world increasingly shaped by division and instability.
According to the decree, the plenary indulgence may be obtained under the customary spiritual conditions of sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. The faithful are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to Saint Francis across the world, highlighting the universal reach of the Franciscan charism. Provision is also made for those unable to travel, including the elderly, the sick, and those confined to their homes for serious reasons. These individuals may participate spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations by offering prayers, sufferings, or daily limitations to God, underscoring the inclusive pastoral character of the Holy Year.
The decree situates the Franciscan Jubilee within a broader reflection on contemporary society, marked by social tension, cultural fragmentation, and persistent conflict. It notes that in an age where virtual interactions increasingly replace direct human encounter and where violence and discord shape public life, the figure of Saint Francis offers a compelling alternative. Rather than proposing technical or political solutions, Francis points toward a way of life conformed to Christ through humility, poverty, and peace. The Jubilee thus calls believers to rediscover the Gospel through concrete witness, encouraging personal conversion and renewed commitment to peace in daily relationships and social structures.
In a letter addressed to leaders of the Franciscan family, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the continued relevance of Saint Francis in a time marked by prolonged wars and deep social divisions. He emphasized that Francis speaks not through strategies or systems, but through a life that reveals the authentic source of peace. The Pope highlighted the unity of peace with God, peace among peoples, and peace with creation as inseparable dimensions of a single call to reconciliation. By proclaiming the Franciscan Jubilee Year, Leo XIV has placed the saint’s spiritual legacy at the center of the Church’s response to contemporary challenges, presenting Franciscan witness as a path toward hope, renewal, and lasting peace.
