Following a reflection on a Gospel passage that speaks of a fundamental value of Christian life—forgiveness—the Holy Father recalled in the Angelus Two days ago marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America.
“I renew my prayers for those who lost their lives and for those who continue to grieve the wounds of that tragic day,” said the Pontiff. “At a time when violence and conflict afflict so many of our brothers and sisters, I invite everyone to pray that the Lord may bring peace to the entire world.”.
"The memory of the tragic event that occurred 25 years ago inspires us to renew our commitment to peace, which we entrust to the intercession of the Virgin Mary," said the Successor of Peter.
A Fundamental Value of the Christian Life: Forgiveness
From the window of the Apostolic Palace, on a sunny day in Rome, the Pope focused his remarks, as usual, on the readings for this 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Jesus taught and bore witness to forgiveness even on the cross, where he prayed to the Father for his persecutors with the words we all know: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” It is a fundamental value of the Christian life.
This is how Pope Leo XIV began his catechesis before this Sunday's Angelus.
Jesus to Peter: Forgive “up to seventy times seven”
In today’s Gospel passage, Peter asks the Master precisely about this topic: “Lord,” he asks, “how many times must I forgive my brother for the wrongs he does to me? ”Up to seven times?” His words reveal a generous heart: the number seven, in fact, symbolizes fullness in the Bible, and “forgiving seven times” means forgiving with great generosity, the Pope has stated.
Jesus“ response, however, goes further: “I do not tell you to forgive up to seven times,” he says, “but up to seventy times seven”, that is, “beyond all limits, immeasurable”
Forgiveness is “essential”
The Pope then emphasized that “forgiveness is indispensable; without it, one cannot live in peace,” he added. “Sooner or later, conflicts, accusations, grudges, and acts of revenge arise in people’s hearts and between people, destroying relationships, dividing families, and unleashing wars.”.
"Only forgiveness sets us free and restores the light, even where man's material and moral poverty has, for a moment, cast a shadow over the horizon and made the path uncertain," said Leo XIV.
Like a favorable wind
In his reflection, the Pope compared forgiveness to “a favorable wind,” which “dispels even the thickest clouds, until we can see the sun again. Saint Peter himself experienced this on several occasions throughout his life; in particular when, after denying and abandoning Jesus during the Passion, upon encountering the Risen One on the shore of the lake, he heard a single question: ‘Simon […], do you love me?’, accompanied by an invitation: ‘Follow me.’.
Just as it was at the beginning, on the day of their first encounter, as if nothing had happened. This charity, which forgives and heals, will serve as confirmation of his mission for the first of the apostles, the Holy Father concluded.
Pray to the Mother of Mercy
“Let us ask, then, the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy,” the Pope urged the Romans and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, “to help us ‘always forgive, even when it is difficult to take the first step, and to spread, with courage and perseverance, the serene and healing light of love that overcomes hatred and disarms all resentment.”.
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