Pope Francis urges Africa to celebrate Jubilee of Mercy

When Pope Francis officially convoked the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy with the publication of the Bull, “Misericordiae vultus” there was a moment in the ceremony which may just have been lost. It is Pope Francis’ wish that the Jubilee of Mercy be celebrated in Africa as well. 

The Holy Father indicated this in a very symbolic and concrete way. He handed the Bull, “Misericordiae vultus,” on behalf of Africans, to Archbishop Bartolome Adoukonou who hails from Benin and is currently secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture. Naturally there were also representatives for the Church of Asia, Oriental Churches and a few others.

The ceremony to convoke the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy started last Saturday, just before the Evening Vespers (Evening prayer with the Psalms) on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, in St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis together with cardinals and others conducted a ceremony at the entrance of the Vatican Basilica. It was here that copies of the Bull were handed to various representatives. Later the Pope went on with the Vespers of Divine Mercy Sunday.

On 8 December, when the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica is open, to mark the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Holy Father has requested that every diocese in Africa and the world open a similar “Door of Mercy” for local celebrations of the Jubilee.

The 28-page Bull, which carries the Latin title, “Misericordiae Vultus” meaning, “The Face of Mercy” opens with the declaration, “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy.” It gives the intentions and the spirit of how Pope Francis hopes the Jubilee of Mercy will benefit the universal Church and the world. In the document, the Pope explains that the year which starts on 8 December, feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, is meant to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone.

Fr. Paul Samasumo

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