On Saturday, January 10, 2026, the Assembly of the Franciscan Family received a warm and fraternal greeting from Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the official opening ceremony of the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.
In his message, the Pope expressed his spiritual unity with all the friars, sisters, and everyone participating in the commemorative events. He emphasized that peace―a divine gift and not the fruit of human effort alone―is the key to Christian life and universal reconciliation.
The Pope noted that St. Francis—through his greeting, “May the Lord give you peace,” and through a life marked by faith, hope, and active charity—continues to speak to us today, inviting each of us to become builders of peace, open to God, to others, and to all of Creation. The saint’s example—unarmed and a friend to all creatures—remains a valuable guide for addressing the divisions and challenges of our time. On this occasion, the Pope also announced the Decree granting a Plenary Indulgence, already made public, which invites the faithful during this Year of Grace to engage in reflection, prayer, and reconciliation―in keeping with the spiritual legacy of St. Francis.
The Pope’s full greeting, read during the opening ceremony, is available for download in the following languages:
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The Decree granting a Plenary Indulgence is available for download in the following languages:
Arabic >>>
Croatian >>>
French >>>
English >>>
Italian >>>
Polish >>>
Portuguese >>>
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Conventual Franciscan General Office of Communications
