The Year of Mercy promulgated by Pope Francis runs from Advent 2015 to the Soleminty of Christ the King, 20th November 2016. The theme of the year is Merciful like the Father. The Bull of Indiction (Misericordiae Vultas) sets out the theme and intentions for the year. You can read it online here .
Pope Francis in emphasising the mercy of God, encourages all of us to enter through the ‘Holy Door’ by means of pilgrimage. ‘Pilgrimage represents the journey each of us makes in this life’ (14). He prays that pilgrimage may be impetus to conversion.
“In mercy we find proof of how God loves us” (14). Pope Francis continues by saying that we should look forward to opening our hearts to those on the fringes of society (15) and that is his burning desire that we will reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
The official website for the Jubliee Year is http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va
Click here to read the (abridged) letter from Pope Francis regarding the indulgence for the Year of Mercy.