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Pope Leo XIV in a Decree Proclaims Special Franciscan Jubilee Year to Honor St. Francis
1. The 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi has officially begun with a solemn ceremony at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Porziuncola. This event marks the final leg of a multi-year "Franciscan Jubilee Journey," commemorating the saint’s spiritual legacy and his "Transitus" (passing) from earthly life in 1226.
2. The Highlight: A Special Jubilee Year
The most significant development of the celebrations is the proclamation by Pope Leo XIV of a special Franciscan Jubilee Year.
Duration: The Jubilee officially opened on January 10, 2026, and will conclude on January 10, 2027.
Purpose: The Pope has instituted this year to encourage the faithful to follow St. Francis’s example of holiness and to act as "tireless witnesses of peace" in an age often defined by division.
Plenary Indulgence: The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence to those who participate in the Jubilee. This grace is extended to:
Members of all Franciscan Orders (First, Second, and Third Orders).
Any member of the faithful who makes a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world.
The sick and elderly who participate spiritually from home by offering their prayers and sufferings.
3. The Opening Ceremony in Assisi
The commemorative year began in the very place where St. Francis concluded his earthly journey.
Symbolic Procession: Led by the provincial and general ministers of the various Franciscan branches, the ceremony featured a symbolic lighting of candles. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino and the Mayor of Assisi reenacted a historic reconciliation between church and civil authorities, a gesture St. Francis himself championed as a prophecy of peace.
The Icon of the Transit: For the occasion, a rare 1255 icon, Saint Francis between two angels, was displayed. The wooden board of this painting is historically significant as it is believed to have supported the body of the saint during his final hours.
A Message of Peace: In a message to the Franciscan family, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that peace is a gift from God that cannot be built by human effort alone, urging a return to the "spiritual legacy" of the Poverello.
4. The Six Pillars of the Franciscan Legacy
During the service, leaders of the Franciscan orders reflected on six key themes from the Saint's "Testament," which serve as a roadmap for the Jubilee year:
Mercy: Reaching out to those with "painful wounds" in body and spirit.
Prayer: Recognizing the presence of the Mystery in the Church and the world.
Fraternity: Seeing every creature as a reflection of God’s love.
Work: Viewing labor as a grace and a fulfillment of a worthy life.
Peace: Finding the courage for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Blessing: Embracing "sister death" with a free and humble heart.
5. This extraordinary Jubilee Year serves as a spiritual continuation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, focusing the world's attention on Assisi’s message of universal brotherhood.
Prayer of Pope Leo XIV to St. Francis: Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen Prayer to Saint Francis for Peace
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