Forgiveness is theme of Pope's visit to Assisi
August 04, 2016
“The world needs forgiveness,” Pope Francis said during a visit to Assisi on August 4. “Too many people are caught up in resentment and harbor hatred, because they are incapable of forgiving.”
The Pope made forgiveness the main theme of his remarks, during a personal pilgrimage that marked the 800th anniversary of the “Pardon of Assis.” Speaking at the basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, he said:
Forgiveness—pardon-– is surely our direct route to that place in heaven. Here at the Porziuncola everything speaks to us of pardon!Pope Francis had come to Assisi to pray privately at the Porziuncola: the chapel where St. Francis prayed as he set out to found the Franciscan order. After that private prayer the Pope delivered his address, then spent an hour hearing confessions.
The Pontiff finished his visit by meeting with members of the Franciscan order and with other religious leaders—making a point of including an Islamic cleric—before returning to Rome in the evening.
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