Pope Francis announces surprise Holy Year
(AGI) Vatican City, March 13 - Pope Francis declared on Fridayan "Extraordinary Jubilee that has the mercy of God at itscentre". "It will be a Holy Year of Mercy," he stated. TheJubilee will begin on Dec 8, the Solemnity of the ImmaculateConception, and end on Nov 20, 2016, the Sunday of theSolemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. PopeFrancis made the announcement during his penitential liturgy atSt. Peter's, on the second anniversary of his election. Thenext Holy Year will also coincide with the 50th anniversary ofthe closing of