It is timely to recall, on this Easter weekend, that Pope Francis is often called â??the Pope of mercy.â? He has spoken many times about putting an emphasis on mercy in the spiritual life, and indeed at the beginning of Lent he proclaimed a â??Jubilee Year of Mercy.â?
One way that Pope Francis has highlighted the importance of mercy is through one of the most important and beautiful sacraments of the Catholic Church: the sacrament of confession. In his first Mass as bishop of Rome in a Roman church, Francis arrived early and unannounced to hear the confessions of the parishioners. He has also heard confessions during World Youth Day. And he has also, himself, publicly gone to confession several times in Saint Peterâ??s basilica. (All Popes regularly go to confession, but Francis has smartly decided to make an example out of it.)
Read Full Article »