Updated 19 August 2026
The St Francis Jubilee 2026–2027 is a special Year of Saint Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death, traditionally known as his Transitus. It began on 10 January 2026 and continues until 10 January 2027, offering Catholics a particular opportunity for pilgrimage, conversion, prayer and a plenary indulgence.
Although pilgrims can participate at eligible Franciscan churches throughout the world, nowhere brings the life and Catholic witness of St Francis into sharper focus than Assisi. Here, the saint’s story belongs not merely to the past. His tomb, the basilicas, the ancient streets and the places formed by Franciscan prayer still draw pilgrims towards the radical encounter with Christ that transformed Francis himself.
Explore Crucis Tours’ Catholic tours in Assisi and choose an experience suited to the time you have available.
St Francis Jubilee 2026–2027: key facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When is the Jubilee? | 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027 |
| Why was it proclaimed? | To commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death, or Transitus, of St Francis in 1226 |
| Who proclaimed it? | Pope Leo XIV |
| Who may participate? | All the Catholic faithful, not only members of the Franciscan family |
| Is there a plenary indulgence? | Yes, subject to the spiritual, sacramental and pilgrimage conditions established by the Church |
| Must pilgrims travel to Assisi? | No. Eligible Franciscan churches and places connected with St Francis are found throughout the world |
| Why visit Assisi? | It is the city of St Francis, the home of his tomb and the heartland of his conversion, vocation and Franciscan legacy |
| When does the Jubilee end? | 10 January 2027 |
What is the St Francis Jubilee 2026–2027?
The Jubilee is an extraordinary year of grace established as an ideal continuation of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025. According to the official decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, it calls the faithful to follow the example of St Francis by becoming models of holiness and witnesses of peace.
The year concludes a series of Franciscan centenaries recalling the final years of the saint’s earthly life: the approval of the Franciscan Rule and the Christmas crib at Greccio, the reception of the Stigmata, the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures, and finally the Transitus of Francis in 1226.
For Catholics, the anniversary is not simply a cultural commemoration of a famous medieval figure. A Jubilee is an invitation to conversion—to receive God’s mercy, repair what sin has damaged and return more faithfully to the Gospel.
Why does 2026 mark 800 years since the Transitus of St Francis?
St Francis died at the Porziuncola, near Assisi, on the evening of 3 October 1226. Franciscans use the word Transitus, meaning “passage”, to describe his passing from earthly life to eternal life.
His death was the completion of a life increasingly conformed to Christ: a life of penance, poverty, Eucharistic devotion, obedience, charity and peace. The Jubilee therefore looks beyond Francis as an admired historical personality and towards the source of his sanctity—his wholehearted response to Jesus Christ.
The exact 800th anniversary falls on 3 October 2026, followed by the liturgical feast of St Francis on 4 October. The Jubilee itself remains open until 10 January 2027.
What does the Jubilee mean for Catholic pilgrims?
St Francis is sometimes reduced to a gentle patron of animals or a general symbol of concern for creation. Those associations contain part of his legacy, but they are not its foundation. Francis first underwent a profound conversion to Christ. His love of poverty, the poor, peace and creation flowed from his desire to live the Gospel without compromise.
In his message for the centenary, Pope Leo XIV emphasised peace rooted in Christ: reconciliation with God, within the human heart, between people and with creation. The Jubilee asks pilgrims not merely to admire Francis, but to imitate his humility, charity and fidelity to the Gospel.
A pilgrimage to Assisi gives physical form to that invitation. It brings pilgrims before the tomb of the saint and into the Catholic world that shaped the Franciscan vocation. Sacred art, churches and places of prayer become more than objects to view: properly understood, they bear witness to conversion, sacrifice and grace.
How can pilgrims receive the St Francis Jubilee plenary indulgence?
A plenary indulgence remits the temporal punishment associated with sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. It is not automatic, and it is not obtained merely by travelling to Assisi or booking a guided tour.
The Apostolic Penitentiary grants the indulgence during the Year of St Francis to the faithful who fulfil the Church’s prescribed conditions:
- Be detached from sin.
- Receive sacramental Confession.
- Receive Holy Communion.
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
- Visit in pilgrimage a Franciscan conventual church or another place of worship dedicated or connected to St Francis.
- Participate devoutly in the Jubilee rites or spend a suitable period in prayer and meditation.
- Conclude with the Our Father, the Creed and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Francis, St Clare and all the saints of the Franciscan family.
The indulgence may also be applied to the souls in Purgatory. Special provision is made for the elderly, the sick, carers and others who cannot leave home for a serious reason, as explained in the official Franciscan Jubilee announcement.
Assisi is not compulsory for receiving the Jubilee indulgence. Nevertheless, for pilgrims who are able to come, praying in the city where Francis lived and before the tomb that has held his mortal remains since 1230 gives this centenary a uniquely immediate significance.
Why make a Jubilee pilgrimage to Assisi?
Assisi is not merely a picturesque hill town associated with a popular saint. It is one of the great Catholic pilgrimage destinations of Europe.
Francis was born here in 1181 or 1182. The decisive stages of his conversion and vocation unfolded in Assisi and its surrounding sanctuaries. St Clare began her own Franciscan vocation here. Francis died at the Porziuncola, and his tomb has been preserved in the Basilica of St Francis since 1230.
The city therefore brings together the saint’s conversion, prayer, preaching, friendship with St Clare, love for the Church and final passage into eternal life. Yet many of its most important details are easily missed—or reduced to disconnected dates and artworks—without informed Catholic interpretation.
Crucis Tours’ expert Catholic guides place the churches, art and history within their spiritual context while preserving appropriate opportunities for prayer and reflection. For an all-round introduction combining the Basilica and Tomb of St Francis with the Catholic heart of Assisi, see the St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour.
The Jubilee continues after the extraordinary exposition
Earlier in 2026, the mortal remains of St Francis were presented for an exceptional extended public veneration in the Lower Basilica. That special exposition ended on 22 March 2026.
The St Francis Jubilee has not ended. It continues until 10 January 2027, and pilgrims may continue to pray at and venerate St Francis at his permanent tomb beneath the main altar of the Lower Basilica.
This distinction matters because some travel information published before March 2026 may still suggest that the extraordinary exposition is continuing. Visitors should consult current official information before relying on special-event schedules or access arrangements.
Important Jubilee dates still to come
- 3 October 2026: the exact 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St Francis.
- 4 October 2026: the liturgical feast of St Francis and, from 2026, an Italian national holiday in honour of the Patron Saint of Italy.
- 10 January 2027: the closing date of the special Year of St Francis.
Church access, liturgical programmes and local arrangements may change around major celebrations. Pilgrims should verify official information and reserve guided tours in advance.
Which Crucis Assisi tour is right for you?
Crucis Tours offers four different ways to encounter Catholic Assisi. The right choice depends upon how long you have and whether your priority is the Basilica, the historic city or a fuller Franciscan pilgrimage.
| Your priority | Recommended Assisi tour | Approximate duration | What makes it suitable |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Basilica and Tomb of St Francis | Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Tour | 1 hour | A focused guided encounter with the Upper and Lower Basilicas, their sacred art and the tomb of St Francis. Best for pilgrims with limited time. |
| Medieval Assisi and St Clare | Assisi City Walking Tour | 2 hours | Explores the wider historic centre and the Catholic story of St Clare. It views the Basilica of St Francis externally rather than visiting its interior or tomb. |
| The strongest half-day Catholic overview | St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour | 3 hours | Combines the Basilica and Tomb of St Francis with central Assisi and the story of St Clare. Recommended for most first-time Catholic pilgrims. |
| The fullest Franciscan pilgrimage | Assisi Day Tour For Pilgrims | Full day | Extends beyond the historic centre to important Franciscan sanctuaries associated with the life, vocation and death of St Francis. |
Tour dates, prices and availability can change. Follow the relevant link for current details, or compare all Catholic tours in Assisi.
Planning a Catholic pilgrimage to Assisi during the Jubilee
Prepare spiritually as well as practically
If you intend to seek the plenary indulgence, plan for Confession, Holy Communion and the prescribed prayers. Allow time that is genuinely set aside for prayer rather than treating the pilgrimage only as sightseeing.
Dress for Catholic churches
Visitors should dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. Access may be refused when clothing does not respect church requirements.
Expect hills and historic paving
Assisi is a medieval hill town. Comfortable, supportive footwear is strongly recommended, and travellers with mobility concerns should discuss their needs before booking.
Check current church and event arrangements
Masses, major celebrations and security requirements can affect access. Confirm current information before travelling, especially around 3–4 October 2026 and the Jubilee’s closing days.
Choose the tour before finalising travel times
Transport to Assisi and to the tour’s starting point is not included unless a product explicitly states otherwise. Visitors travelling from Rome should allow ample time and may contact Crucis Tours for advice about matching their arrival and departure plans to the most suitable Assisi tour.
Frequently asked questions about the St Francis Jubilee
When does the St Francis Jubilee begin and end?
The special Year of St Francis began on 10 January 2026 and ends on 10 January 2027. It commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death, or Transitus, of St Francis of Assisi on 3 October 1226.
Why is there a Jubilee Year of St Francis in 2026?
Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Jubilee to mark eight centuries since the saint’s death and to invite Catholics to follow his example of holiness, humility, Christian charity and peace rooted in Christ.
Can Catholics obtain a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee?
Yes. The faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence, including for a soul in Purgatory, when they undertake the prescribed pilgrimage work and satisfy all the spiritual and sacramental conditions established in the Apostolic Penitentiary’s decree.
Must I travel to Assisi to obtain the indulgence?
No. The qualifying pilgrimage may be made to a Franciscan conventual church or another place of worship dedicated or connected to St Francis anywhere in the world. Assisi is nevertheless the spiritual and historical heart of the centenary.
Do I need a guided tour to receive the indulgence?
No. A guided tour is not one of the conditions for the indulgence. Its value lies in helping pilgrims understand the Catholic history, sacred art and spiritual significance of the places they visit. The indulgence depends upon fulfilling the Church’s prescribed conditions.
Are the mortal remains of St Francis still on public display?
The exceptional extended exposition ended on 22 March 2026. Pilgrims can still visit and pray at the saint’s permanent tomb in the Lower Basilica throughout the Jubilee and afterwards, subject to current church access arrangements.
Which Crucis tour is best for a first pilgrimage to Assisi?
For most first-time Catholic pilgrims, the three-hour St Francis of Assisi Pilgrim Tour offers the strongest balance of the Basilica and Tomb of St Francis, central Assisi and the Catholic story of St Clare. Those with a full day can choose the more comprehensive Assisi Day Tour For Pilgrims.
Experience Assisi during the Year of St Francis
Eight centuries after his Transitus, St Francis continues to call Catholics away from a comfortable or sentimental faith and towards conversion, humility, charity and deeper conformity to Christ.
The Jubilee can be observed throughout the world, but a pilgrimage to Assisi brings the life of the saint into an extraordinary unity: the city of his birth and conversion, the Catholic faith that formed him, the Franciscan places shaped by his vocation and the tomb at which generations of pilgrims have prayed.
Compare Crucis Tours’ Assisi pilgrimages and check current availability, or contact us for help choosing the right tour for your time in Assisi.
Official sources
- Apostolic Penitentiary decree establishing the special Year of St Francis
- Order of Friars Minor announcement and indulgence conditions
- Pope Leo XIV’s letter for the eighth centenary of the death of St Francis
- Official history of the Basilica of St Francis
- Official information about the Tomb of St Francis