 Official logo | |
| Native name | Iubilaeum Extraordinarium Misericordiae |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 December 2015 (2015-12-08) – 20 November 2016 (2016-11-20) |
| Duration | 349 days |
| Location | Worldwide |
| Type | Jubilee |
| Theme | Mercy |
| Organised by | Variousdioceses |
| Website | www |
TheExtraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (Latin:Iubilaeum Extraordinarium Misericordiae) was aCatholic period of prayer held from 8 December 2015, theSolemnity of the Immaculate Conception, to 20 November 2016, theFeast of Christ the King.[1] Like previousjubilees, it was seen by the Church as a period for remission of sins and universal pardon focusing particularly on God's forgiveness andmercy. It was anextraordinary Jubilee because it had not been predetermined long before; ordinary jubilees are usually celebrated every 25 years.
The 2016 Jubilee was first announced byPope Francis on 13 March 2015.[1] It was declared in the pope's April 2015papal bull of indiction (formal announcement or proclamation),[2]Misericordiae Vultus (Latin for "The Face of Mercy").[3] It is the 27thholy year in history, following the ordinary2000 Jubilee duringJohn Paul II's papacy.[1] The opening day was also the 50th anniversary of the closing of theSecond Vatican Council.[3]
Francis wished for the Jubilee to be celebrated not only in Rome but all around the world; for the first timeholy doors were opened in singledioceses, either in the cathedral or in historical churches.[4] The first holy door was opened by Pope Francis inBangui on 29 November 2015, during a tour of East Africa.[5]
The Jubilee officially ended on 20 November 2016 with the closing of the Holy Door ofSaint Peter's Basilica, which had been open since the Holy Year began the previous December.[6]
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 Divine Mercy byEugeniusz Kazimirowski, 1934 |
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The Jubilee of Mercy was formally declared through the papal bullMisericordiae vultus, issued on 11 April 2015, which emphasizes the importance of mercy and the need to "gaze" on it; the bull also recalls the need for the Church to be more open, keeping alive the spirit of theSecond Vatican Council.[3]
The holy doors of themajor basilicas ofRome (including the Great Door ofSt. Peter's) were opened, and special "Doors of Mercy" were opened at cathedrals and other major churches around the world. The opening of the holy door at St. Peter's was the first time two popes were present, asPontiff Emeritus Benedict attended at Pope Francis' invitation.[7]
The church held that by passing through these doors, the faithful can earnindulgences after fulfilling the usual conditions of prayer for the pope's intentions, Confession, and detachment from sin, and Communion.[7] DuringLent of that year, special 24-hourpenance services were to be celebrated, and during the year, special qualified and experienced priests calledMissionaries of Mercy were to be available in every diocese to forgive even sins normally reserved to the Holy See'sApostolic Penitentiary.[3][8]
In the bull, Pope Francis stated about the opening of the holy door, "the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope".[3]
It was announced that all priests (during the Jubilee year – ending 20 November 2016) would be allowed in theSacrament of Penance to remove censures forabortion, which outside North America is reserved to bishops and certain priests who are given such mandate by their bishop.
By the same letter, Pope Francis also granted permission for priests of theSociety of Saint Pius X to validly confer absolution, while under normal circumstances they do not possess the jurisdiction needed to confer this sacrament.[9]
The official logo, designed by FatherMarko Rupnik, shows Jesus, personification of Mercy, carrying on his shoulders a "lost man", emphasizing how deep the Savior touches humanity; his eyes are merged with those of the carried man. The background is filled by three concentric ovals, with lighter colors outwards, meaning that Jesus is carrying the man out of the darkness of sin. On one side the image is also joined by the official motto:Misericordes Sicut Pater (Merciful Like the Father), derived fromLuke 6:36, which stands as an invitation to follow the example of the Father by loving and forgiving without limits.[10]
The official hymn, with most verses derived from the Gospels,First Corinthians andPsalms, was written by Eugenio Costa, S.J., with original music composed byPaul Inwood.[11][12]
The following main events and days of celebration for specific categories of the faithful were scheduled:[13]
Misericordia et misera is anapostolic letter authored byPope Francis and scheduled for release on 21 November 2016 following the conclusion of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.[16] He signed it in a public ceremony on 20 November and presented copies to representatives chosen to represent the universal audience for his message: Philippine cardinalLuis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Scottish archbishopLeo Cushley, two missionary priests from Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a Roman deacon and his family, two women religious from South Korea and Mexico, three generations of a U.S. family, an engaged couple, religious instructors, and two people representing the disabled and the sick.[17]
The title of the document referencesSaint Augustine's commentary onJesus and the woman taken in adultery in theGospel of John. After Jesus challenges her accusers and they withdraw, Augustine says that onlymisera et misericordia (misery and mercy)[a] remain. Pope Francis reverses the two terms Augustine used.[19]
The document was released at a press conference hosted byRino Fisichella, President of thePontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation.[citation needed]
Art historianRalf van Bühren said that the Jubilee was an excellent opportunity for cultural andarts journalism, becausemercy has been an important subject of Christianiconography. Since theMiddle Ages, many representations in art encouraged people to practice theworks of mercy and helped "the audience to explore mercy in their own lives",[20] as Bühren explains using the example ofCaravaggio's painting in Naples. He felt that in this way the Jubilee Year of Mercy "issued a call tojournalists,multimedia experts andsocial media communicators to report on facts, people, ideas and evangelization by using Christian art to explorebenevolence, pardon, andmercy".[21]
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025
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