The Pope has celebrated Mass with and for Capuchin friars from across the globe. He has done this in honor of the two great Capuchin saints who are attracting thousands of pilgrims to the Vatican: Padre Pio and Saint Leopold Mandic.
The Pope asked for their remains to be exposed in the basilica because they were two great confessors. He also took the opportunity to explain how the priests should receive those who approach them at confessionals.
POPE FRANCIS
'If you can not give absolution as a hypothesis then do not bother. The person who comes is seeking forgiveness and peace for his soul. He must find a father who hugs and says, 'God loves you very much.' And you must show it. I think you've heard it also, many say, 'I don't go to confession because when I went the priest starting asking me too many questions'..Please!â?
The Pope has asked priests to be discreet with those who go to confession, to act so that the sinner does not feel interrogated and to show them that God forgives them.
POPE FRANCIS
'Either you perform the office of Jesus, who forgives, giving His [whole] life in prayer â?? so many hours there [in the confessional], seated as were those two [St. Padre Pio and Leopold] there or you perform the office of the devil who condemns, who accuses.â?
Since last Friday, the Vatican received the relics of Padre Pio and Saint Leopold, tens of thousands of faithful come to pray to these two saints, famous for devoting countless hours to confession.
This is a model that the Pope is now proposing to the Church.
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