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The Holy Father has asked bishops to acknowledge the 800th anniversary of St. Francis so that “every faithful Christian, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, shall become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.” In the Diocese of Austin, now through Jan. 10, 2027, three parishes serve as places of pilgrimage where people can pray and invoke the intercession of St. Francis and his counterpart St. Clare and earn a plenary indulgence.

As the Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi, we are invited into a sacred moment of grace. In his care for the faithful, Pope Leo has granted a plenary indulgence through January 10, 2027, opening for the whole Church a path of renewal during this Year of Saint Francis.

Decree | While the fruits of grace of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, which has just ended, in which we have all been urged to become pilgrims of that hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rm 5:5), are still present and effective, a new occasion for jubilation and sanctification is added to it as an ideal continuation: the eighth centenary of the happy passing of Saint Francis of Assisi from earthly life to his heavenly homeland (3 October 1226).

“Our Sister Death”, exclaimed Saint Francis on 3 October 1226 in Porziuncola, as he went towards her as a man finally at peace. Eight centuries have passed since the death of the Poverello of Assisi, who wrote the word of Christ’s salvation indelibly in the hearts of the people of his time.