STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of 2026 as the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi in honor of the 800th anniversary of his death. To celebrate, the university has designated several chapels on campus as pilgrimage destinations throughout the year and will host a major academic conference on St. Francis in the fall.

“We look forward to a year filled with grace and blessings,” said the Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of the university. “Although it has been 800 years since St. Francis’ death, he still captures the hearts and imaginations of the people of God. As a Franciscan university, we welcome the opportunity to invite pilgrims from near and far to celebrate the witness of St. Francis, Mirror of Christ, and grow in the Franciscan charisms of peace, conversion, and joyful discipleship.”

According to the official decree, this extraordinary jubilee year will be celebrated for the next 12 months, during which time the faithful are invited to “follow the example of the Saint of Assisi, becoming models of holiness of life and constant witnesses of peace.”

In this sacred time of grace, the Apostolic Penitentiary grants a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions–sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist and prayer for the intentions of the holy father–to those who participate devoutly in this jubilee. The decree extends this gift to “all the faithful without distinction who, with hearts detached from sin, visit, in the form of a pilgrimage, any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship anywhere in the world dedicated to St. Francis.”

“Franciscan University is excited to serve as a pilgrimage destination during this jubilee year,” Pivonka said. “We have designated three chapels on campus as jubilee pilgrimage sites where Catholics may come to receive this plenary indulgence: our historic Portiuncula Chapel, the recently renovated Christ the King Chapel and the Sacred Heart Chapel in our state-of-the-art Christ the Teacher academic building.”

Pilgrims who fulfill the conditions outlined by the church at these sites may receive the special indulgence granted for this jubilee.

In addition to serving as a pilgrimage site, the university will hold a major academic event this fall. From Nov. 5-7, the university will host the Sister Death — Gate of Life Conference, marking the anniversary of St. Francis’ death and entrance into eternal life. Drawing on the words of his first biographer, Thomas of Celano, who recorded St. Francis’ embrace of death as “Welcome, my Sister Death,” the conference will explore Franciscan perspectives on death, the Christian understanding of the end of life and the ongoing relevance of Franciscan spirituality across disciplines and vocations.

The weekend-long conference will feature keynote presentations by Franciscan scholars, including the Rev. J.A. Wayne Hellmann, Order of Friars Mingo Conventual; the Rev. Thomas A. Piolata, OFM Capuchins; and Sister Margaret Carney, Secular Franciscan Order, and will include scholarly papers and discussions on St. Francis’ life and legacy, Franciscan tradition and Catholic and Franciscan views on health care, care for the dying and enduring Christian hope.

“Through events like this, our students and the wider Catholic community will have the opportunity to engage deeply with Franciscan spirituality and reflect on its meaning for their lives,” said the Rev. Jonathan St. Andre, TOR, vice president for Franciscan life.