Pope Francis is visiting the Umbrian town of Assisi to mark the eighth centenary of the 'Pardon of Assisi.â? This is an indulgence granted to those who visit the small church located within the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria
degli Angeli ('St. Mary of the Angelsâ?) which is where is where St. Francis of Assisi began the Franciscan Order.
The tradition dates back to 1216. On August 1st, Christ, Our Lady, and angels appeared before St. Francis of Assisi in the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels. Pope Francis last visited Assisi in 2013, a few months after his election to the See of Peter.
