May Lord give peace in Year of St. Francis

Published: April 14, 2026

Pope Leo XIV proclaimed a universal Year of St. Francis from Jan. 10, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 to mark the 800th anniversary of the saint's death.

"At the beginning of his evangelical life, (St. Francis of Assisi) heard a call: 'The Lord revealed to me that we should say this greeting: 'May the Lord give you peace,'" explained Pope Leo XIV in his letter proclaiming the special jubilee year. "With these essential words, (St. Francis) conveys to his friars and to every believer the inner wonder that the Gospel had brought into his life: Peace is the sum of all God’s gifts, a gift that comes from above. What an illusion it would be to think that it can be built by human efforts alone. And yet it is an active gift, to be welcomed and lived every day."

"In this age, marked by so many seemingly interminable wars, by internal and social divisions that create mistrust and fear, he continues to speak. Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace," the pope added.

Three parishes in Arkansas have been designated as pilgrimage churches during the Year of St. Francis. Catholics are invited to visit the churches in Arkansas named after the Italian saint in Forrest City, Little Italy and Fairfield Bay.

Weekend Mass in Forrest City is at 12:15 p.m. on Sundays. In Little Italy, Mass is at 10 a.m. Sundays. Fairifield Bay has Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. All Masses are in English. To visit the churches during the week, call the church offices to make arrangements.

“According to the decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary, the faithful who visit a church dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi during this year may obtain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions,” said Father Juan Guido, diocesan director of the Divine Worship Office.

The Church says those who wish to receive an indulgence should make a sacramental confession within 20 days, receive Communion within 20 days and pray for the intentions of the pope, “which can also be applied in the form of suffrage for the souls in purgatory,” according to the Vatican. Any prayers are acceptable, but the Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested. One can go to confession and receive the Eucharist anywhere. In declaring the special jubilee year, the decree stated every Christian should follow “the example of the Saint of Assisi “ and “may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace."

Prayer to St. Francis of Assisi

Pope Leo XIV wrote the following prayer for the jubilee year so that "St. Francis of Assisi may continue to instill in all of us perfect joy and harmony."

Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago
went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace,
intercede for us before the Lord.

You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano,
teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation
that breaks down every wall.

You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war
and misunderstanding,
give us the courage to build bridges
where the world raises up boundaries.

In this time afflicted by conflict and division,
intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers:
unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ.

Amen.