by Theresa Cavicchio, OFSFranciscans around the world – religious and lay – are celebrating the recent announcement of the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 – 1226 A.D.). This special time – from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, has been proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of the “Little Poor Man” later this year.
Along with poverty and penance, humility was one of the hallmarks of Saint Francis’ spirituality. Another was the great respect he held for Catholic clergy at all levels, staunchly supporting the many priests, bishops, and popes he encountered during his ministry. It would not be surprising to see him bowing his tonsured head in humble submission to this proclamation of our current Pope Leo.
The special Jubilee Year was announced in the Letter of the Holy Father Leo XIV to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family on the Occasion of the Opening of the Eighth Centenary of the Death of St. Francis of Assisi.
The recurring theme of the Holy Father’s letter is that of peace, as in the following excerpts.
“In this age, marked by so many interminable wars, by internal and social divisions that create mistrust and fear, [Saint Francis] continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace.”
“The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation … Francis reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation. This insight resonates with particular urgency in our time … Peace with God, peace among human beings and with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”
For the faithful, our personal spiritual effort toward achieving peace with God can be facilitated by reception of the plenary indulgence available to all during this Jubilee Year. A plenary indulgence grants complete forgiveness of sins, removing the temporal punishment of even sins already taken to confession. The indulgence can be applied to oneself or to a departed soul.
This indulgence is available not only to Franciscan priests, religious, and lay seculars; but to all the faithful visiting any Franciscan place of worship and under the usual conditions: Mass and reception of Holy Communion; confession within eight days before or after; sincere detachment from sin; recitation of the Creed and the Our Father; and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The elderly, ill, homebound or those unable to travel to a pilgrimage site but who desire to unite themselves to the Jubilee spiritually may participate by offering to God their prayers or sufferings.
Throughout the year, various celebratory activities are planned. One current historic event is the first-ever public display of Francis’ mortal remains. The month-long exposition began on February 22, 2026, at his basilica in Assisi. Pilgrims numbering in the hundreds of thousands have registered to view the remains of a humble saint so widely beloved by Christians, non-Christians, and those of little or no faith.
In Francis’ time – much like in ours – divisions and difficulties among secular, political, and ecclesiastical sectors abounded. Through it all, Francis kept his eyes firmly focused on Jesus. His unwavering witness to the Gospel, loving care for others, and joyful holiness of life made him a beacon of peace in a troubled world.
And truly, as Saint Francis welcomed and embraced his “Sister Death” on October 3, 1226, he passed to eternal life at peace – with his God, his fellow human beings, and all of God’s creation.
Since his election last May, Pope Leo consistently has preached and written on the urgency of striving for world peace. His words are particularly relevant during these current times of upheaval and conflict.
So it is fitting that we close as the Holy Father did – with the prayer for peace which concludes his letter proclaiming the Jubilee. May this prayer, and Saint Francis of Assisi, be our daily companions as we make our way through this very special, grace-filled year.
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
