Speaking to the faithful gathered in St Peters Square he said that he wishes "a hospital, a home for the elderly, for abandoned children, a school where none exists, a home for the recovery of addicts," or similar institutions are established as "a living memory" of the Year of Mercy.
Pope Francis said that he had the idea recently when he met with directors of a charitable agency, but thought to himself: "I will share it in the square on Saturday," according to Aleteia.
He said: "It would be very good for each diocese to consider: what can we leave as a living memory, as a work of living mercy, as a wound of the living Jesus for this Year of Mercy? Let us reflect on this and speak to the Bishops about it."
He was speaking 11 years after the death of St. John Paul II and included readings from Scripture and sacred music in his address.
"How many are the expressions of mercy with which God encounters us?
"They are numerous and it is impossible to describe them all, for the mercy of God continually increases.
"God never tires of showing us mercy and we should never take for granted the opportunity to receive, seek and desire this mercy.
"It is something always new, which inspires awe and wonder as we see God's immense creativity in the ways he comes to meet us."
He emphasised that Christians should be willing to be kind and show mercy to others.
The Holy Year of Mercy began in late 2015, it is a jubilee year that normally occur every 25 years.
Jubilee years feature special celebrations and pilgrimages, calls for conversion and repentance, and the offer of special opportunities to experience God's grace through the sacraments, especially confession.
