Vatican News recently reported concerning this:
In a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary and approved by Pope Francis, the plenary indulgence will be granted to grandparents, the elderly, and all faithful who participate in the solemn celebration presided over by the Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as to all those who attend Mass in various parts of the world. The indulgence is subject to the usual conditions of sacramental Confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father. A plenary indulgence offers remission of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, which can be applied to oneself or to the souls in Purgatory. For people who are unable to leave their homes due to serious reasons, spiritual participation in Mass celebrated for the World Day through prayer, offering their sufferings, and joining in the broadcasts of the Pope’s various celebrations will also grant them the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence.
The text of the decree reads:
The Apostolic Penitentiary, in order to increase the devotion of the faithful and procure the salvation of souls, by virtue of the faculties attributed to it by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, Pope by Divine Providence, … graciously grants from the heavenly treasures of the Church the Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity, participate on 23 July 2023, on the occasion of the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, at the solemn celebration over which the Most Holy Father Francis will preside in the Vatican Papal Basilica, or at the various functions that will be held throughout the world, a Plenary Indulgence that may also be applied as a suffrage to the souls in Purgatory.
How is the Christian to judge these indulgences? If what the decree says is true, and the pope in Rome has the power and authority to provide full satisfaction for sins (greater than that provided by the sacrifice of God Himself), then why does he not at once release all Christians from purgatory, or at least the ones currently trapped there? But he really has a very good reason for refusing to do this: It would reduce his ability to subject the nations to his diabolical authority. But enough of that here.
Babylon the Great argues that this is needed “in order to procure the salvation of souls.” These indulgences are therefore intended to promote the Pelagianism of the papal sect.
(For a full Christian judgment on all of these things, the reader is directed to Luther’s writings, especially The Keys [AE 40, 325 ff.; StL 19, 902 ff.] and A Recantation of Purgatory [AE 61, 220 ff.; StL 18, 874 ff.]. Also parts 2–4 of Chemnitz’s Examen will certainly prove useful.)
Altlutheraner 