Jubilee
Pope Francis declared the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy by papal bull Misericordiae Vultus.
As previously announced by the Pope himself on 13 March 2015, it will begin on 8 December 2015 and end on 20 November 2016.
The Pope also declared that the Jubilee, occurring at the same time as the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council, will be dedicated to Mercy.
This is the announcement the Pope made during a religious service:
“Brothers and sisters, I have often thought of how the Church can reinforce its mission of bearing witness to Mercy. This is a path that starts with spiritual conversion. That is why I have decided to declare an extraordinary Jubilee that focuses on God’s Mercy. This Holy Year will begin on the coming feast day of the Immaculate Conception, and will end on 20 November 2016, the Sunday of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and Living Expression of the Father's mercy. I am entrusting the organisation of this Jubilee to the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, so that it may be seen as a new milestone in the Church's road towards its new mission of taking the Gospel of Mercy to each and every individual”.
Pope Francis
The Papal Bull
On Saturday 11 April 2015, during the celebration of the first vespers of the Sunday of Divine Mercy, the Jubilee was officially declared by handing over and reading the Misericordiae Vultus bull, which took place in the presence of Pope Francis, in front of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica.
The Bull identifies the need to declare an Extraordinary Holy Year in order to maintain - within the Catholic Church - awareness of being present in the world as a channel of God's Mercy. The ability to communicate with the world and opening up to every man - these were the challenges met by the Second Vatican Council.
The Jubilee is intended to be an opportunity for further opening. The Bull also mentions some significant events in the History of Salvation, in which God has manifested His Merciful Love.
The beginning of the Jubilee
The beginning of the Jubilee is set for 8 December 2015. This date was not chosen at random, as it is the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council.