After Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Jubilee Year of St Francis from 10 January, 2026, to 10 January, 2027, the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary also issued a decree granting a plenary indulgence to mark the 800th anniversary year of the popular saint’s death.
Listed among the “certain works” suggested to obtain the plenary indulgence is “a pious pilgrimage to Franciscan churches.”
But several Franciscans told OSV News they hope Catholics will do more than simply stop by – as much as they and their fellow friars would enjoy visitors.
They want Catholics to also learn about the life and charism of their founder, and how St Francis of Assisi (c. 1181-1226) remains a model blend of contemplation and activity for contemporary Catholics.
Franciscan Father John Aherne is also hopeful that the faithful will focus on St Francis’ spiritual heritage.
“Maybe even the larger question is what can the Year of St Francis do for the world?” he said, and he pointed to the different ways in which the 13th century saint brokered peace amid divisions during his life.
Franciscan Father Jonathan St Andre, vice president for Franciscan life at Franciscan University of Steubenville, would like special events and liturgies to get St Francis out of the garden.
“I always try to bring people to the deeper vision of St Francis,” he said. “That even when it comes to the animals, he loved the animals because they were Christic – all things were created through the Father in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.”
