Pope Francis visits Assisi

The Porziuncola

Pope Francis is making a private pilgrimage to the Italian hill town of Assisi this afternoon to visit the Porziuncola chapel there to mark the 800th anniversary of the 'Pardon of Assisi.'

The Porziuncola is a small chapel housed inside the town's Basilica of St Mary of the Angels which St Francis of Assisi restored and where he founded the Franciscan order at the start of the 13th century.

Pope Francis previously visited Assisi on the feast day of the Italian saint, his namesake, on 4 October, 2013.

His visit this year coincides with the 800th anniversary of the 'Pardon of Assisi; which is the possibility to receive a plenary indulgence during the first two days of August. The tradition began after the saint received a divine vision and asked God to grant an indulgence to all pilgrims who visit the church.

The Pope will arrive in Assisi by helicopter around 3.40pm and will go to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels where he will pray inside the Porziuncola chapel. Afterwards he will offer a reflection on forgiveness taken from the Gospel of Matthew and then meet with Franciscan bishops and superiors before addressing pilgrims gathered in the square outside the basilica.

At 6pm the Pope will be taken by car to the Migaghelli sports field where he will board the helicopter for his flight back to the Vatican.

During the General Audience yesterday, Pope Francis said: "It will be a very simple pilgrimage, but very significant in this Holy Year of Mercy.. I ask everyone to accompany me with prayer, invoking the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly intercession of Saint Francis."

Source: VIS