Jubilee 2025

So, what exactly is an indulgence? 

It’s essential to understand how it complements the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While confession forgives sins, it doesn’t remove all their effects. Every sin leaves a mark that requires healing, whether in this life or after death in Purgatory. Indulgences take away these lingering consequences.

Ordinarily, we remove the temporal punishment due to our sins through prayer, penance, and works of charity. These heal our damaged relationship with God. The Church, however, can facilitate this removal in other ways by granting indulgences.

As holder of the “keys of the kingdom” (Mt 16:19), the Pope has the authority from Christ to grant indulgences. He can unlock the infinite treasury of graces earned by Jesus’ Passion and Death and complemented by the prayers and good works of Mary and the Saints. In granting an indulgence, God offers sinners complete forgiveness of the temporal punishment due to their sins.

Indulgences can be either partial or plenary. A partial indulgence remits some of the temporal punishment due to sin, and a plenary indulgence removes all such punishment.

To receive the Jubilee indulgence, whether for yourself or a soul in Purgatory, Pope Francis outlines specific conditions: going to Confession, receiving Holy Communion, praying for the Pope’s intentions, and being totally detached from all sin, including venial sin. These requirements can be fulfilled several days before or after making the pilgrimage.