Pope Francis: follow St. Stephen’s example in forgiving others
December 28, 2015
The martyr St. Stephen, who forgave his killers as he was dying, offers Christians today a model of forgiveness, Pope Francis said in his Angelus address on December 26, the saint’s feast day.
“We too, are born from God’s forgiveness,” the Pope told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “Not only in baptism, but every time we are forgiven, our heart is reborn, it is regenerated … We must never tire of asking God’s forgiveness, because only when we are forgiven can we learn to forgive.”
Christians, Pope Francis continued, can follow St. Stephen’s example of praying for those who sin against them, and doing so “frees us from the chains of inner resentment.”
The Pope concluded his address by entrusting persecuted Christians, “unfortunately very many” in number, to the Virgin Mary.
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Further information:
- Angelus Domini 2015.12.26 (YouTube Vatican)
- Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus, 26.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope Angelus: Forgive like St Stephen (Vatican Radio)
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