During the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis asked the world to stop death penalty sentences, at least during this Year of Mercy.
Pope Francis said that societies should look for more mature forms of respect and dignity and recalled that even criminals have the right to
life.
POPE FRANCIS
'I appeal to the conscience of government leaders so that an international consensus is reached to abolish the death penalty. And I propose to those who are Catholics to make a courageous and exemplary gesture: that no sentence is carried out in this Holy Year of Mercy.â?
Pope Francis also found it useful to recall his recent trip to Mexico, an experience, he explained, that has transformed him. The Pope highlighted his silent encounter with Our Lady of Guadalupe as a central component of his visit.
POPE FRANCIS
'I have beheld her and reflected on the one who has imprinted in her eyes the looks of all of her children, and who collects the pain of the violence, the kidnappings, the murders, the abuse of many poor people, many women.â?
To return to the subject of the Misericordia, Francis gave a very symbolic gift to those who came to hear him speak.
POPE FRANCIS
'I thought to give those who are in the square a spiritual medicine called '
Misericordina.â? We have already done it once, but this is of better quality; it is the '
Misericordina plus.â? A box containing a Rosary and an image of Merciful Jesus.'
Jubilee volunteers began to distribute this curious papal gift throughout Saint Peter's Square so that all of the pilgrims left the Angelus with an extra dose of mercy.
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