Peace, simplicity, love of the poor and of all God’s Creation are core Christian messages found throughout the Gospels – but of all the many saints who have exemplified these, perhaps the best-known, and certainly one of the most beloved, is St Francis of Assisi. This year is the 800th Anniversary of the Saint’s death, and Pope Leo XIV has declared a ‘Year of St Francis’ which will run until January 2027.

Throughout 2026, this, our Conservation and Environment website, will be dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and to all the good news stories of how our clergy and lay faithful in parishes and schools across our Diocese are Caring for Creation, progressing peace and reconciliation, and supporting those experiencing poverty.

We will be making our usual Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimages for each season of the year, Blessings of Animals, and supporting many projects and initiatives to make our parishes and schools as environmentally, socially and economically sustainable as possible!

Please send YOUR ideas and suggestions, good news stories and events for the Year of St Francis to communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk !

The ‘Year of St Francis’ includes the special graces of a Plenary Indulgence (under the usual conditions) which will be granted to all who participate in a pilgrimage ‘to any Franciscan conventual church, or place of worship in any part of the world, named after St Francis or connected to him for any reason’.

We are fortunate to have Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of the Renewal based here in the Diocese of Leeds, plus the following churches and schools associated with the Franciscans or dedicated to St Francis:

• St Patrick’s Mission, Bradford (Franciscans of the Renewal, St Pio Friary) – Sedgefield Terrace, Westgate, Bradford BD1 2RU
• Church of St Francis, Bradford (Parish of the Immaculate Conception and St Francis), BD2 2JU (Our Lady & St Francis Primary School)
• Church of St Francis, Morley (Parish of St William of York), LS27 9NF (St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Morley)
• Church of St Francis, Holbeck (Parish of St Maximilian Kolbe), LS11 6TN (St Francis of Assisi Primary School & St Anthony’s Primary School)
  

St Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures (the first words of which are ‘Laudato Si’ mi’ Signore!’ – ‘Praise be to You, my Lord!’) exhorts us to praise God with all Creation. Even in the secular world, St Francis, is well-known for the stories about his love of nature and belief that humanity shares kinship with all creatures through God their Creator. His sermons to the birds to ask that their song be used in praise of God, preaching to the fishes, and taming the savage Wolf of Gubbio all emphasise peace, reconciliation and Care for all Creation, and it was this which led to his being declared the Patron Saint of Ecology by Pope St John Paul II in 1979.

Please send YOUR ideas and suggestions, good news stories and events for our Year of St Francis to communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk !

St Francis of Assisi, Patron of Ecology: pray for us