The Franciscan jubilee year from January 10, 2026 to January 10, 2027 marks the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ death with Pope Leo XIV offering plenary indulgences at designated sites. Six Franciscan leaders gathered in Assisi emphasizing that Francis’ legacy calls modern Catholics to small daily conversions through reconciliation, reducing waste, and serving marginalized people rather than grand religious gestures. Brother Bill noted Francis preferred obscure Christian living, while Father Costello stressed simplicity and reverence. The celebration invites deeper exploration of Franciscan spirituality through writings, biographies, and pilgrimages.
In honor of the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi‘s death, Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee year running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. The year began with a gathering in Assisi of six Franciscan leaders who issued a joint letter titled “Francis of Assisi: A Seed for Eternal Life.” Through a papal decree, the celebration has been enriched with plenary indulgences available to pilgrims who meet specific conditions at designated Franciscan churches.
Father Costello, one of the leaders, emphasized that Francis modeled simplicity, gratitude, and reverence for God, creation, and others. He suggested practical daily acts such as reconciling with someone, reducing waste, extending hospitality, and accompanying marginalized people. For Costello, holiness means presence, accompaniment, and attentiveness to God rather than grand gestures.
Brother Bill highlighted Francis’ radical Gospel-based life, noting that the saint shunned the limelight and favored obscure Christian living. He also pointed to Saint Clare‘s significant involvement in the movement.
Francis birthed a global movement through poverty, peace, and humility that shifted Christian life from the model found in Acts of the Apostles to direct Gospel discipleship. He became universally appealing across Christian denominations by providing a Christocentric vision with Christ as the absolute center, inspiring radical following of Jesus’ message. Early Church authorities found Francis’s approach perplexing and impractical at the time.
Organizers invite participants to read Pope Leo XIV’s decree on the Jubilee, spend time with Saint Francis’ writings, and read at least one biography to gain insights into his life and conversion. Pilgrims can visit Franciscan churches in the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe or participate in organized pilgrimages. Pope Leo XIV released his first apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te on the feast of St. Francis, which included a section on the saint and focused on love for the poor.
Franciscan University of Steubenville has designated chapels as pilgrimage sites and will host the “Sister Death–Gate of Life” Conference from November 5–7, 2026, marking the anniversary of Francis’ death according to Thomas of Celano.
According to the Catechism, an indulgence remits temporal punishment for forgiven sins. The Jubilee addresses ongoing concerns about war, division, and poverty while promoting deepening relationships with Christ through humility, fraternity, and service, encouraging small conversions toward a fully human Christian life. A central Franciscan emphasis remains agape sacrificial love shown in Christ and lived out in service.
