Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year (10 January 2026 – 10 January 2027) coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.
While noting previous jubilee celebrations related to the works of St Francis – such as the eighth centenary commemorations of the first Nativity scene, his composition of the “Canticle of the Creatures” and his receiving of the stigmata – the decree stated that “2026 will mark the culmination and fulfillment of all previous celebrations”, emphasising its significance.
Remarking that “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” Pope Leo continues “When 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; when the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, 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”…
Read the decree in full here
