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Indulgence: An Encounter with God, Not a Shortcut
As the Catholic Church marks the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s death, the Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree announcing plenary indulgences for the new special Jubilee Year (January 10, 2026 – January 10, 2027) as declared by Pope Leo XIV.
In a recent interview with Vatican Media, Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, emphasized that this sacred time must move beyond mere celebration toward "deep maturity" and a daily imitation of the "Poor Man of Assisi."
Understanding the Jubilee of Saint Francis
The Year of Saint Francis serves as a spiritual bridge following the Great Jubilee of 2025. Bishop Nykiel warns against "spiritual fatigue" or the "inflation of holiness," where frequent religious events lose their impact. Instead, he invites the faithful to:
Simplify Prayer: Deepen the quality of prayer rather than just increasing the quantity.
Move from Emotion to Action: Transition from "spectacular celebration" to quiet, daily imitation of Christ.
Focus on "Being" over "Having": Embrace Franciscan simplicity as an antidote to modern consumerism.
What is an Indulgence?
Bishop Nykiel clarifies that an indulgence is not a "dispenser of graces" or religious magic. Instead, it is the remission of temporal punishment for sins already forgiven in confession.
"Indulgence is first and foremost an encounter with God... a stage on the path of conversion, and not a spiritual shortcut."
Conditions for the Plenary Indulgence
To receive the indulgence during this Jubilee Year, the faithful are called to fulfill the following requirements:
Sacramental Confession
Eucharistic Communion
Prayer for the Pope’s Intentions
Interior Detachment from Sin: A sincere act of will to reject all sin, even venial.
Specific Acts of Piety: Including pilgrimages to Franciscan churches, meditation in the Franciscan spirit, or daily acts of charity and humility.
Note: The elderly and sick who cannot travel may obtain the indulgence by uniting their sufferings with the Jubilee and committing to the requirements as soon as they are able.
The Relevance of Saint Francis Today
Bishop Nykiel highlights that Saint Francis offers a vital message for the modern world:
Authenticity: Faith should be lived through actions, not just feelings or "virtual" reality.
Fraternal Love: Actively reaching out to the marginalized and the poor.
True Peace: Recognizing that peace comes from a converted heart, not just social compromises.
| Theme | The Franciscan Invitation |
| Wealth | Detachment from material goods to find freedom of heart. |
| Relationships | Prioritizing real-world fraternity over virtual connections. |
| Faith | Consistency between the Gospel and one's daily lifestyle. |
Source: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/16/0041/00081.html
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