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Pope Leo XIV opens 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s death

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV opened the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi in a letter to the Franciscan Family General Ministers. The Pope marked the anniversary of the saint's passing, known in the Franciscan tradition as his Transitus, which occurred on October 3, 1226.

The Holy See designated a special year for St. Francis that began on January 10, 2026, and will continue until January 10, 2027. In his letter, the Pope noted that the saint's message remains relevant to the Church and modern society, placing particular emphasis on peace.

Celebrations for the anniversary are taking place throughout 2026 by Franciscan communities worldwide, including festivities in Assisi.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

1 source13 reports5 languages

Read it in Malti · Português · Kiswahili · Slovenščina · English

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More on Saint Francis of Assisi

  1. Oct 30, 10:58 PM PT · 19 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to participants in Assisi peace meeting
  2. Oct 30, 2:10 AM PT A legacy of the late Dr. Fr. Bolmax Pereira through the 8th Centenary Celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi
  3. Oct 29, 3:17 PM PT Ángel Luis Iglesias to present painting of St. Francis of Assisi
  4. Oct 29, 9:05 AM PT Diocese of Saint-Claude celebrates 8th centenary of Saint Francis of Assisi's death
  5. Oct 25, 4:02 PM PT · 60 sources Pope Leo XIV cancels October 27 Assisi visit
  6. Oct 23, 9:25 AM PT Catholic school devotional project focusing on St. Francis of Assisi
  7. Oct 23, 5:00 AM PT · 2 sources Franciscans commemorate 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death
  8. Oct 22, 5:00 PM PT St. Francis of Assisi: A living legacy for the Church in Southern Arabia
  9. Oct 22, 3:07 PM PT Photos: Jubilee banquet and opening celebration of the relics and art masterpieces of Saint Francis of Assisi
  10. Oct 21, 3:54 AM PT Walking in faith: Procession honors St. Francis of Assisi
  11. Oct 18, 3:01 AM PT Diocese of Salamanca closes "Antología" exhibition and presents new work on St. Francis of Assisi
  12. Oct 17, 5:00 AM PT · 2 sources Actress Sharda Harrison performs in play about St. Clare of Assisi
  13. Oct 16, 3:18 AM PT 8th Centenary of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi, at Old Goa
  14. Oct 15, 4:23 PM PT Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi bring relics and art masterpieces to San Francisco
  15. Oct 15, 2:16 PM PT Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap. celebrates Masses for St. Francis of Assisi
  16. Oct 12, 7:17 AM PT EVENT | New book on Saint Francis of Assisi to be presented in Brussels
  17. Oct 9, 10:32 PM PT Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao celebrates Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

More coverage of Saint Francis of Assisi

More Catholic news

Earlier version, Thursday 8 October

Pope Leo XIV opens 800th anniversary of Saint Francis of Assisi’s death

Earlier version, Wednesday 7 October

Pope Leo XIV opens 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death

Earlier version, Wednesday 7 October

Pope Leo XIV to mark 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death

Earlier version, Wednesday 7 October

Cardinals and friars celebrate 800th anniversary of St. Francis' death in Assisi

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 4, 5:01 AM Newsbook Malti 800 sena mill-mewt ta’ San Franġisk ta’ Assisi
  2. Oct 5, 9:11 AM CNBB Português Oitocentos anos de um coração aberto: São Francisco de Assis e o chamado à simplicidade
  3. Oct 5, 5:45 AM Vatican News Kiswahili Jubilei ya Miaka 800 ya Kifo cha Mt. Francisko wa Assisi: Kesha na Ibada ya Misa Takatifu
  4. Oct 5, 9:25 AM CNBB Português São Francisco de Assis nos inspire em amar e servir!
  5. Oct 6, 8:12 AM Katoliška cerkev v Sloveniji Slovenščina Da bi vse pritegnili k Božji ljubezni
  6. Oct 5, 11:12 PM The Southern Cross St Francis and Mission
  7. Oct 5, 2:36 PM OSV News In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death
  8. Oct 5, 2:35 PM The Catholic Sun In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death
  9. Oct 6, 9:51 AM National Catholic Reporter In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' death
  10. Oct 6, 12:10 PM CathNews Australia Assisi marks 800th anniversary of death of St Francis
  11. Oct 7, 10:00 AM Catholic Review In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death
  12. Oct 7, 8:14 AM The Monitor In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death
  13. Oct 8, 5:46 AM Diocese of Scranton In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death

More on Saint Francis of Assisi

  1. Oct 30, 10:58 PM PT · 19 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to participants in Assisi peace meeting
  2. Oct 30, 2:10 AM PT A legacy of the late Dr. Fr. Bolmax Pereira through the 8th Centenary Celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi
  3. Oct 29, 3:17 PM PT Ángel Luis Iglesias to present painting of St. Francis of Assisi
  4. Oct 29, 9:05 AM PT Diocese of Saint-Claude celebrates 8th centenary of Saint Francis of Assisi's death
  5. Oct 25, 4:02 PM PT · 60 sources Pope Leo XIV cancels October 27 Assisi visit
  6. Oct 23, 9:25 AM PT Catholic school devotional project focusing on St. Francis of Assisi
  7. Oct 23, 5:00 AM PT · 2 sources Franciscans commemorate 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi's death
  8. Oct 22, 5:00 PM PT St. Francis of Assisi: A living legacy for the Church in Southern Arabia
  9. Oct 22, 3:07 PM PT Photos: Jubilee banquet and opening celebration of the relics and art masterpieces of Saint Francis of Assisi
  10. Oct 21, 3:54 AM PT Walking in faith: Procession honors St. Francis of Assisi
  11. Oct 18, 3:01 AM PT Diocese of Salamanca closes "Antología" exhibition and presents new work on St. Francis of Assisi
  12. Oct 17, 5:00 AM PT · 2 sources Actress Sharda Harrison performs in play about St. Clare of Assisi
  13. Oct 16, 3:18 AM PT 8th Centenary of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi, at Old Goa
  14. Oct 15, 4:23 PM PT Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi bring relics and art masterpieces to San Francisco
  15. Oct 15, 2:16 PM PT Bishop Emilio E. Biosca, O.F.M. Cap. celebrates Masses for St. Francis of Assisi
  16. Oct 12, 7:17 AM PT EVENT | New book on Saint Francis of Assisi to be presented in Brussels
  17. Oct 9, 10:32 PM PT Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao celebrates Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

More coverage of Saint Francis of Assisi

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