Scottish Catholic Observer

Two children hitched a ride with Pope Francis this morning, journeying around St Peter’s Square in the Popemobile before the start of the weekly general audience.

The Pope invited the youngsters along for his traditional meeting with pilgrims before the audience, during which he kisses children and blesses the Faithful.

The Holy Father told pilgrims during his audience address that we must be open to forgiveness and mercy and be ready to share it with others.

“The Sacred Scriptures present God as infinite mercy, but also as perfect justice,” he said. “When we think of justice, we think of its legal administration, which seeks retribution and exacts a penalty.

“Such legal justice does not conquer evil, but simply stems its tide. The Bible presents true justice as a process which avoids a tribunal. It foresees the offended person going directly to the guilty party to invite them to conversion, by helping them to see the evil they have done, and by appealing to their conscience.”

In this way, the Pope said, the ‘guilty person is able to see their wrong and be open to the forgiveness offered.’

“This is how families forgive, how spouses and children show their love,” he said. “This is not always easy, however; it requires that we be ready to forgive and desire always the salvation of those who offend us. This is God’s justice. He does not seek our condemnation, but our salvation.

“By making us see the wrong we have done, the Father helps us to recognize our need for his mercy revealed in Jesus Christ. God’s justice is his mercy. As God’s children, may we be open to his divine mercy, and readily and generously share it with our brothers and sisters.”

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