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| Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy |
| Date | December 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016 |
| Location | Vatican City; global observance |
| Pope | Pope Francis |
| Announced | March 13, 2015 |
| Celebrated | Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Francis |
Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy was a Catholic Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Francis focused on the theme of mercy, announced in 2015 and celebrated from December 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016. It mobilized institutions across the Roman Curia, Vatican City, and global dioceses including the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, Archdiocese of New York, and Archdiocese of Milan, engaging religious orders such as the Society of Jesus, Order of Preachers, and Franciscan Order. The jubilee influenced ecumenical relations with churches like the Eastern Orthodox Church, dialogues with the World Council of Churches, and interactions with international bodies such as the United Nations.
Pope Francis declared the jubilee in a bull of indiction called Misericordiae Vultus, linking the event to the Second Vatican Council ethos and referencing papal predecessors including Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The announcement followed pastoral initiatives in the Archdiocese of Rome and synodal discussions at the Synod of Bishops, drawing on theological work by figures like Saint Augustine, Saint Francis of Assisi, and contemporary theologians associated with institutions such as the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Lateran University. The proclamation cited liturgical dates tied to feasts in the Liturgical Calendar and drew attention from episcopal conferences including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
The jubilee set objectives to foster pastoral care in dioceses like Los Angeles, Lima, and Manila, promote sacramental ministry involving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and encourage works of mercy modeled after documents like Evangelii Gaudium and Laudato si'. Themes included corporal and spiritual works of mercy traced to writings attributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas and practices encouraged by religious communities such as the Missionaries of Charity and the Benedictine Order. The initiative engaged Catholic movements including Opus Dei, Charismatic Renewal, and Focolare Movement, and intersected with social institutions such as Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Relief Services.
The jubilee opened with a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica and a Holy Door rite at the Basilica of Saint Peter, followed by parallel doors at basilicas like Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, and diocesan cathedrals globally. Major national events occurred in locales such as Rome, Buenos Aires, Paris, Nairobi, and Tokyo, and involved visits to prisons including institutions in Argentina and outreach in urban centers like New York City and São Paulo. Pilgrimages invoked routes associated with sanctuaries like Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes, and ecumenical services were held with delegations from the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation.
Pope Francis opened and closed the jubilee with liturgies at St. Peter's Square and conducted pilgrimages and penitential visits to institutions including prisons and hospitals, collaborating with officials from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and the Congregation for the Clergy. The pope presided over events tied to feast days honoring Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and other saints, and met with leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, heads of state like the President of Italy, and representatives from organizations including Médecins Sans Frontières and Amnesty International. Notable moments included public absolution rites, visits to refugee centers connected with agencies such as the International Organization for Migration, and audiences with delegations from universities like Harvard University and the University of Notre Dame.
Liturgical emphases involved renewal within rites celebrated at locations such as St. Peter's Basilica and parish churches under guidelines from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Theological discussion engaged scholars from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, commentators from journals such as L'Osservatore Romano, and professors affiliated with the Catholic University of America and the Université de Fribourg. Topics included mercy in patristic sources like Origen and Gregory of Nyssa, the pastoral theology of Cardinal Walter Kasper, and frameworks from encyclicals by Pope Paul VI and earlier magisterial texts.
Reception ranged from endorsements by figures such as Cardinal Pietro Parolin and leaders of Caritas to critiques by commentators affiliated with publications like National Catholic Reporter and La Civiltà Cattolica. Some theologians from seminaries and institutes including the International Theological Commission praised pastoral outreach while conservative voices connected to entities like the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith raised questions about sacramental discipline. Responses from political leaders, media outlets such as The New York Times and BBC News, and activists in organizations like Human Rights Watch reflected diverse assessments of the jubilee's social impact.
The jubilee influenced subsequent papal initiatives and synodal processes including meetings of the Synod of Bishops on the Family and reforms promoted by the Roman Curia. Dioceses implemented pastoral programs in seminaries, parishes, and Catholic universities including Georgetown University and Universidad Pontificia Comillas, and charities such as Catholic Charities USA expanded mercy ministries. Long-term effects appeared in ecumenical relations with the World Council of Churches, academic study at centers like the Vatican Library, and continued engagement by movements including the Jesuit Conference and the Sisters of Mercy.