By sacrificing himself on the cross, Jesus Christ showed a love that is open to all of us and that forgives us for our sins, Pope Francis told pilgrims on Wednesday.
“Jesus did not bring hatred, nor did He bring enmity: He brought love – a great love – a heart open to all – to all of us – a love that saves,” Francis said, quoted by Vatican Radio.
“We are all sinners,” he said in his address to around 40,000 people in St Peter's Square.
"But we are all forgiven: we all have the possibility of receiving this pardon, which is the mercy of God; we need not fear, therefore, to recognize ourselves sinners, confess ourselves sinners, because every sin was carried by the Son to the Cross.”
The Gospels chronicle how Jesus showed mercy in every moment of his life on earth, meeting the crowds, healing the sick, reaching out to those on the margins of society and pardoning sinners, Francis said.
He urged Catholics to renew their relationship with God, "embrace the Gospel with greater vigour" and "be heralds of the Father’s mercy and forgiveness.
The pontiff has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy during which believers around the world are encouraged to re-embrace their faith and to seek forgiveness for their sins, according to a 700-year-old tradition.
Rome is expected to welcome over 30 million pilgrims during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which began on 8 December and ends on 30 November.
