Pope encourages everyone to obtain Pardon of Assisi

St Francis of Assisi

Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis invited everyone to receive the 'Pardon of Assisi', which can be obtained from the evening of 1 August until midnight on 2 August.

St Francis obtained this spiritual gift from God through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

"It is a plenary indulgence that may be received by partaking of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist and visiting a parish or Franciscan church, reciting the Creed, the Lord's prayer and praying for the Pope and his intentions," the Pope pointed out.

He recalled that the indulgence can even be obtained for a deceased person.

"How important it is to always put God's forgiveness, which 'generates heaven' in us and around us, back at the centre!" he said.

The Pardon of Assisi dates back to 1216, when Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels appeared before St Francis.

The apparition took place in the tiny Portiuncula, the chapel Francis had built in the Italian town of Assisi. When Jesus asked him want he desired for the salvation of souls, St Francis asked for God to grant a plenary indulgence for all those who enter the chapel.

The indulgence was later extended to anyone who visits a parish or Franciscan church on 1 August or 2 August.