Pope Francis Kicks Off Yearlong Jubilee Of Mercy

“If we were to forget, even just for a moment, that mercy is ‘that which God likes most, ‘ every one of our labors would be useless because we would become slaves of our institutions and our structures, however renewed they might be”, he said.

To mark the occasion, Pope Francis pushed open the heavy bronze doors at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City before tens of thousands of pilgrims, who also had the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door after Mass. The door is a symbol of God’s justice.

During this holy year, as we previously reported, Francis has said that priests will be allowed to forgive women who have had abortions.

In addition to seeking mercy and forgiveness, the faithful should share mercy and love with others, the cardinal said.

This iteration will be a Jubilee of Mercy.

Traditionally, Holy Years have been scheduled to take place every 25 years, but Francis called a special one to promote a more inclusive Catholic church using the theme of mercy to encourage the almost 1.2 billion Catholics around the world to be less judgmental.

Mercy is overwhelmed by self-interest in the world and by hypocrisy in the Church, Pope Francis said on this morning during his general audience address. He said that the Jubilee is a favourable time to do so because by turning our eyes to God, the merciful Father, and to our brothers in need, it helps us focus attention on the essential content of the Gospel: “Jesus Christ, Mercy made flesh”.

The pope said the opening of the Jubilee recalled the start of the reforming Second Vatican Council 50 years ago. “It worked very well and it was worth it because we feel safe”, said Corrado De Gioia, who came to Rome from Treviso in northern Italy. Though it took quite a bit of time, police used metal-detecting wands and checked bags as pilgrims entered the Square.

Pope Francis has long signalled his wish to change the Church’s approach from condemnation of wrongdoing to a Church that is more forgiving and understanding of its flock, our correspondent says.

Some 10 million people are expected to pass through the Holy Door over the next year in a rite symbolizing crossing the threshold to salvation.

Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI attended Pope Francis’ special Mass on the “revolution of tenderness”, while the rain did nothing to stop an estimated 50,000 pilgrims from attending.

The next day, Cardinal Wuerl also opened a Holy Door at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during a Mass marking the basilica’s patronal feast day, a holy day of obligation for Catholics that commemorates Mary as being conceived without sin. That is why, he explained, this Holy Year of Mercy is so important.

St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 15 East 26th Street, is designated as a Jubilee Year of Mercy pilgrimage site.

“Let’s begin again with the same energy and enthusiasm”, he said, asking for a return to the “missionary push” of the council.