From the Decree of Apostolic Penitentiary, Rome

ON THE EIGHTH CENTENARY OF THE DEATH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, A SPECIAL JUBILEE YEAR IS BEING ANNOUNCED WITH ATTACHED PLENARY INDULGENCES.

Francis of Assisi, who, from the son of a rich merchant, became poor and humble, true alter Christus on earth, providing the world with tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection.

Our time is not very different from that in which Francis lived, and precisely in the light of this his teaching is perhaps even more valid and understandable today. Today Christian charity languishes, ignorance spreads like immorality, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit; the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day.

Therefore, 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, not to frustrate the purposes of the Holy Year that has just ended: may the hope that has seen us as pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervour of active charity...

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Minister of our faith and our joy, establishes that, from January 10, 2026 until 10 January 2027, a special Year of St. Francis may be proclaimed, in which every Christian faithful, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.

For a more perfect attainment of its intended purposes, the Apostolic Penitentiary, through the present Decree, on the occasion of the Year of St. Francis, grants the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father):

to all the members of the Franciscan Families and to all the faithful without distinction

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.

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, the sentiments of Christian charity and authentic desires for harmony and peace among peoples may spring up in their hearts.

Their prayer should conclude 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...

This decree is valid for the Year of St. Francis. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary.

Given in Rome, from the See of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on the 10th January 2026, the Vigil of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Angelo Card. De Donatis

Major Penitentiary