Pope Francis: ‘intensify the inner journey of conversion’ during remainder of Lent

March 07, 2016

Reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son, Pope Francis called upon the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his March 6 Angelus address to “intensify the inner journey of conversion” as Easter approaches.

God is “is the merciful Father who, in Jesus, loves us beyond all measure, always awaits our conversion every time we wrong,” the Pope said. “He awaits our return when we turn away from him thinking we can do without Him; He is always willing to open up His arms no matter what happened.”

“As the Father of the Gospel, God also continues to consider them His children, even when they are lost, and comes to us with tenderness when we return to Him,” the Pope continued. “He speaks to us so kindly when we believe we are right. The errors we commit, even if large, do not scratch away the fidelity of his love. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we can always start out afresh.”

The Pope concluded by asking his listeners to “return to Him with all our heart, rejecting any compromise with sin. May the Virgin Mary accompany us to the regenerating embrace with Divine Mercy.”

 

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Further information:

• Angelus Domini 2016.03.06 (YouTube Vatican)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus, 06.03.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• ANGELUS ADDRESS: On Returning With Loving Embrace (Zenit)