As per tradition, the Pope met with the Tribunal of the Roman Rota for the inauguration of the judicial year.
-'...which is inaugurating the new judicial year of 2022.'
The Rota is the Holy See's highest ecclesiastical court. One of its tasks is to determine whether or not a marriage can be annulled.
Pope Francis asked members of the Rota who deal with these delicate cases to focus on fostering forgiveness and reconciliation between spouses.
POPE FRANCIS
'The declaration of annulment should not be presented as if it were the only goal to reach when faced with a crisis in the marriage, or as if it were a right detached from the occurred.'
The Pope asked judges to listen to all sides. He urged them to treat wounded marriages with humanity, and not mindlessly apply the law.
He assured them that doing so will allow all parties involved to understand the court's ruling, and accompany couples on a human and Christian journey.
JMB
TR: CT
