Even though confessed and forgiven sins will not send a person to hell, consequences remain to be paid on earth or in purgatory. An indulgence frees the recipient from those consequences. Reception of an indulgence always springs from sincere repentance, the desire to live a holy life, reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion as soon as possible and prayer for the Holy Father. An indulgence cannot be bought, nor can one be obtained by going through the motions without sincerity.
A partial indulgence covers part of the punishment due for sins; a plenary indulgence removes all of it. Both kinds of indulgence come from the merits of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and the saints. These “merits” are the opposite of “demerits.” They are spiritual fruits accumulated through holy living. To grant indulgences, the Church draws on a great treasury of merits: the infinite value of Christ’s Passion, death and Resurrection, and the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints – including all of those on earth who live holy lives.
A plenary indulgence is a particularly powerful way to obtain remission of punishment -- on earth or in purgatory – that would have resulted from sins that were already forgiven. It covers all sins, mortal or venial, that the recipient has committed up to that time, if the person sincerely repents, detests their sins and fulfills all requirements of the indulgence.
Pope Francis has granted special ways to gain a plenary indulgence during the coronavirus pandemic, when many people cannot go to Confession. Read the full decree here.
At the heart of this pandemic-related indulgence is Pope Francis’ request for everyone to “implore from the Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.” The person must resolve to receive the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist as soon as possible. Those at the point of death are not required to receive the sacraments or even to pray, unless they recover and can do so later.
There are three ways to gain this plenary indulgence, depending on circumstances:
For all Catholics who are able: They must pray for the pope’s requests for God to end the pandemic, bring relief to the afflicted and salvation to those who have died. They must also engage in one of these devotions: Visit the Blessed Sacrament, engage in Eucharistic Adoration, pray the Rosary, read Scripture for a least 30 minutes, follow the Stations of the Cross or pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. They must resolve to go to Confession and receive the Eucharist as soon as it is safely possible.
For those who have coronavirus and those quarantined with them, as well as healthcare workers, family members and others who care for the sick: They should use television, radio or video to unite spiritually to the Mass, Rosary, Stations of the Cross or another Catholic devotion. If they have no access to Catholic media, they should recite the Creed, pray the Our Father and ask for the help of the Blessed Mother, "offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters." They should resolve to do all of the following as soon as possible: Pray for the pope’s requests for God to end the pandemic, bring relief to the afflicted and salvation to those who have died; go to Confession and receive the Eucharist.
For those on the point of death without access to Anointing or the Viaticum (Last Rites): They can receive a plenary indulgence if they want forgiveness, detest sin and “have recited at least a few prayers during their lifetime.” If possible, it is recommended that the person see or touch a crucifix or cross. If the person survives, he or she must still go to Confession and receive the Eucharist as soon as it is possible to do so safely.
For more information see the 1967 letter of Pope Paul VI on indulgences and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1471-1479.