Pope Francis Rings in Year of Mercy

By opening the holy doors of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis rang in an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The holy year lasts through November 20, 2016—the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

“I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time,” Pope Francis said when announcing the jubilee earlier this year. “Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God.”

Kerry Weber, managing editor of America and author of Mercy in the City, spoke to members of the faculty about practical ways to be merciful on December 8. She also wrote an article about the jubilee for The Washington Post. Mike Jordan Laskey, director of life and justice ministries for the Diocese of Camden, N.J., also composed an article about mercy for the National Catholic Reporter.

For more information about the Jubilee, visit the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops online.