Plenary Indulgences

The Latest

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Feb. 15, 2016.

Pope Francis grants plenary indulgence to Catholics marking Guadalupe feast at home

Dec 10, 2020

Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to Catholics celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home this... Read more

The Teutonic Cemetery, a burial site adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica, on All Soul's Day, Nov. 2, 2017.

Vatican extends plenary indulgence for the dead throughout November

Oct 23, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican has extended the availability of certain plenary indulgences for the souls in Purgatory, amid the coronavirus pandemic and... Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis urges Catholics to follow ‘God’s logic’

Aug 2, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholics Sunday to follow “God’s logic” by taking responsibility for the welfare of others.  Read more

St. Peter's Basilica. CNA file photo.

Holy See grants indulgence to coronavirus patients and Catholics who pray for them

Mar 20, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence for people with COVID-19 and for those who care for them,... Read more

Vatican official highlights confession on All Saints, All Souls Day

Oct 31, 2019

It is fitting for Catholics to go to confession on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and to pray... Read more

The March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2017.

Indulgence available for participants in National Prayer Vigil for Life

Jan 14, 2019

The Holy See has granted that a plenary indulgence may be obtained by those who participate in the National Prayer... Read more

Crowds at the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2017.

Participating in the March for Life? There’s an indulgence for that.

Jan 7, 2018

Catholics participating in the 45th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19 will be able to receive a... Read more

Our Lady of Fatima.

Three ways to obtain an indulgence for the 100-year Fatima anniversary

Dec 1, 2016

For the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, Pope Francis has decided to grant... Read more

Indulgences not a 'magical formula,' canon lawyer explains

Jul 18, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

In contrast with media reports of “time off of purgatory” for Pope Francis' Twitter followers, a canon lawyer says indulgences... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica.

Plenary indulgence announced for the Year of Faith

Oct 5, 2012

The Holy See announced Oct. 5 that Pope Benedict XVI has granted a plenary indulgence for the Year of Faith,... Read more