God’s mercy is inclusive, Pope emphasizes at final jubilee audience

November 14, 2016

On November 12, Pope Francis held the final special monthly Saturday audience for the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy.

“I would like to stress the importance of inclusion,” Pope Francis told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks. “God’s mercy, which excludes no one, challenges us to be merciful and open to the needs of others, especially the poor and all those who are weary and burdened.”

“We, who have experienced that love and mercy, have a part to play in his saving plan, which embraces all of history,” the Pope continued. “In his mercy, God calls all men and women to become members of the body of Christ, which is the Church, and to work together, as one family, in building a world of justice, solidarity and peace.”

Pope Francis called upon his listeners to show love “without classifying others on the basis of social condition, language, race, culture, religion: before us there is only a person to love as God does. The person I find in the workplace, in my neighborhood, is a person to love, as God loves him or her.”

“The arms of the great colonnade surrounding this Square symbolize that embrace,” he added. “They remind us not only of the Church’s mission to the human family, but also of our own call to bear faithful witness to God’s inclusive love through the mercy, love and forgiveness we show to others.”

 

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Further information:

• 2016.11.12 Holy Year of Mercy, Jubilee audience (YouTube Vatican)
• L’Udienza Giubilare, 12.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Jubilee audience: mercy is inclusive, 12.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)