From Belfast (very interesting news article on this very topic, published just yesterday):
Presbyterians challenge Papal indulgences
In that article, a Catholic priests confirms that the Pope has granted 'plenary indulgences' for those who attend his visit this August.
But Catholic priest Fr Patrick McCafferty said they are firmly based on scripture. Purgatory is simply cleansing and healing after death and it is effected by the grace of God and the Blood of Jesus Christ, he said. God is indulgent towards His childrens weaknesses and the teaching on indulgences is simply an illustration of His providential care he added. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland responded that the only mediator between God and men is Christ and that in Him alone is to be found forgiveness of sin through his finished work on the cross.
Here is an article that confirms that Francis has been granting indulgences since at least 2016:
Is Pope Francis too indulgent with indulgences?
To help fulfill this vision, Francis is also relying on an old-fashioned ritual indulgences. They are a way of winning remission from penance in this life or in Purgatory. The most recent example of the popes penchant for indulgences was his announcement of a special holy year, or jubilee, dedicated to the theme of mercy and featuring a variety of ways for pilgrims to receive indulgences. So what is an indulgence?....... Explaining it is not a simple feat, and Vatican officials have been known to grow testy when asked. As briefly as possible, it is an extra-sacramental means by which a penitent can perform a duty a pilgrimage or some similar act to eliminate all or part of the penance they must complete after confessing a sin. An indulgence can also reduce the time spent in Purgatory after one dies, or reduce it for someone else who is already in Purgatory awaiting final entry into heaven. There are both full (plenary) and partial indulgences, and the means for obtaining them can vary. (See Section 1471 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.)
Dang!!!
Just like out FR Catholic friends here do!!