“Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.” (Cant. 27-31)
From 2023 to 2025 inclusive, the most significant eight-hundredth anniversaries of the life and spirituality of the Poor Man of Assisi were commemorated: the approval of the Rule and the Christmas of Greccio (1223–2023), the gift of the Stigmata (1224–2024), and the composition of the Canticle of the Creatures (1225–2025). This year is now dedicated to the final eight-hundredth anniversary, namely the Easter of Saint Francis (1226–2026).
On this occasion, Pope Leo XIV, through a Decree dated 10 January 2026, has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year of Saint Francis, running from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027, granting for the entire period the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence. [decreto-indulgenza_en.pdf]
Pope Leo XIV has also sent a Letter to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family. Read the Holy Father’s letter in full [leone_en.pdf]
Therefore, for the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, this will also be a year of themed initiatives to commemorate the Seraphic Father and his “prophecy of fraternity,” marked by humble things, care for Creation, and an intense and sincere spirituality.
Translation of St. Francis. Capital letter ‘G’, BOOK XI - F. XXVI V., Miniature, Biblioteca Antoniana, Basilica del Santo – © Giorgio Deganello, Archivio Messaggero di sant’Antonio