800 years

Bishop Richard Ng of Miri, Malaysia, warned against excessive reliance on technology and artificial intelligence, saying that only Christ can offer salvation, during a seminar and Mass marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi on October 3.

A Special Franciscan Jubilee Year has begun to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026). It runs from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027 and carries the theme “San Francesco Vive” (Saint Francis Lives). The theme echoes the Gospel image of “the seed that dies to bear fruit” (Jn 12:24; 1 Cor 15:36), reminding the Church that Francis’ life continues to speak powerfully today.