Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced an “extraordinary” Jubilee Year devoted to mercy. Jubilee, or Holy Years, have a long tradition in Christianity and Judaism and often focus on repentance and forgiveness. In Catholicism, ordinary Jubilee Years happen about every 25 years, but every so often, an extraordinary year is proclaimed. A special feature of Jubilee Years is the granting of perpetual indulgences in return for meeting certain requirements—mostly, confession and repentance. In return for meeting these requirements, one may bypass purgatory on death and go straight to heaven.