Pope Francis: Jubilee Audience summary
(Vatican Radio) During
his special Jubilee audience in St Peter’s Square on
Saturday, Pope Francis said Jesus' call to conversion is an experience of
unmerited love which leads to openness to others, especially to the poor.
He said Jesus' call to
conversion was expressed in closeness to sinners and mercy to those in need,
rather than in judgment, allowing sinners to feel God’s loving mercy and
to open their hearts to his gift of forgiveness.
Below, please find the
official English-language summary of Pope Francis’ catechesis, which was
delivered in Italian.
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Dear Brothers and
Sisters: Appearing to the disciples in Emmaus, the Risen Jesus tells them
that repentance and the forgiveness of sins are to be preached to all nations
in his name (Lk 24:47). Repentance and the forgiveness of sins are at the
heart of the Gospel message of God’s merciful love. The Old Testament
prophets repeatedly call the people to “return to the Lord” in fidelity to his
covenant of love. Jesus began his public ministry by preaching
repentance, interior conversion and belief in the Gospel (cf. Mk 1:15).
His call to conversion was expressed not in judgment but in closeness to
sinners and mercy to those in need. As we see in the conversion accounts
of Matthew and Zacchaeus, Jesus enabled sinners to feel God’s loving mercy and
to open their hearts to his gift of forgiveness. As an experience of
unmerited love, true conversion always entails openness to others, especially
the poor. In this Holy Year of Mercy, may we recognize our own need of
forgiveness and conversion, and open our hearts ever more fully to the power of
the Lord’s grace to transform and renew our lives.
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I greet the English-speaking
pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from
England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and the United States of
America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy
will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I
invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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