Pope Leo XIV dedicates 2026 to St. Francis of Assisi

Pope Leo XIV dedicated 2026 to celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The Pope chose to emphasize two aspects of the saint's life, desiring that every faithful Christian follow his example to become a model of holiness and a witness of peace.

At St. Francis Church in Cranberry Prairie, parishioners are marking the milestone by attempting to live out the virtues of their patron. The parish is part of St. Henry Parish, where pastor Fr. Andrew Hess noted the importance of the Jubilee Year.

St. Francis Church was originally founded by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood to serve German-speaking Catholics. While the first church building was constructed in 1858, the current structure was dedicated in 1906.