In commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed Jan. 10, 2026 – Jan. 10, 2027, an extraordinary Jubilee Year during which the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions by making a pilgrimage to a Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to the saint. 

The Franciscan Friars Minor announced the proclamation in a Jan. 10 press release, stating that during this Jubilee year “the Christian faithful are invited to follow the example of the Saint of Assisi, becoming models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace.”

The release states that the extraordinary jubilee “represents an ideal continuation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025,” which encouraged the faithful to go on pilgrimage and orient their lives toward God. The See of the Apostolic Penitentiary gave the decree Jan. 10. 

“Following in the footsteps of the Poverello of Assisi, let us transform the hope that made us pilgrims during the Holy Year into fervour and zeal of effective charity,” the release states. “May this Year of St Francis be for each one of us a providential occasion for sanctification and evangelical witness in the contemporary world, for the glory of God and the good of the whole Church.”

This Jubilee Year is especially addressed to Franciscans of the first, second, and third regular and secular orders, the release notes, as well as religious institutes, societies of Apostolic Life, and associations inspired by Franciscan spirituality or that follow the Rule of St. Francis.

However, the Franciscans add that “the grace of this special year is also extended to all the faithful without distinction who, with their spirits removed from sin,” make a pilgrimage to an applicable holy place. 

The release notes that those who are sick, elderly, or cannot leave home for grave reasons can also obtain the plenary indulgence through offering their prayers and sufferings to God and spiritually participating in the Jubilee observation. 

The Franciscans state that they invite all the faithful to participate in the Jubilee, adding: “May the shining example of St. Francis, who knew how to make himself poor and humble in order to be true alter Christus on earth, inspire our hearts to live with authentic Christian charity towards our neighbour and with sincere longings for concord and peace among peoples.” 

This month, Pope Leo also sent a letter to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family, the heads of the Franciscan religious orders, recognizing the eighth centenary of St. Francis’ death. 

Pope Leo recalled how when he first began his religious life, St. Francis said the Lord revealed to him that the friars should greet people by saying, “May the Lord give you peace.” Pope Leo said that these words communicate how the Gospel brings peace into the life of those who embrace it.

St. Francis’ life, which “points to the authentic source of peace,” offers insight amid this age marked with many divisions and wars, according to the Pontiff. 

“The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation,” he continued. “Francis, who calls the sun ‘brother’ and the moon ‘sister’, who recognizes in every creature a reflection of divine beauty, reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation.”

Before concluding and offering his Apostolic Blessing, the Pontiff offered a special prayer, which mentions the 800th anniversary of the saint’s passing, asking St. Francis’ intercession in helping the faithful to become peacemakers.