VATICAN (CNS): Even though it takes more strength to forgive than to wage war, forgiveness is the only feasible weapon that can be used against every conflict, Pope Francis said in an interview with Il Centro, the local newspaper of the central Italian city of L’Aquila, which he visited on August 28.
“Evil is never defeated by evil, but only with good,” the pope said.
He invited people to embrace the power of forgiveness, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine and all the many other “conflicts that afflict thousands of people and especially the innocent.”
He said, “It takes more strength to forgive than to wage war,” adding that forgiveness requires a great deal of “inner and cultural maturity.”
He urged everyone to “cultivate a culture of peace” that comes precisely from this “maturation of a forgiveness that is possible” adding hat otherwise, people will just stay “mired in the logic of evil that latches on to the logic of the [subjective] interests of those who take advantage of these conflicts to enrich themselves and exploit.”
Therefore, “forgiveness is the only possible weapon against every war.”
Pope Fraqncis made his comments ahead of his planned morning visit to L’Aquila to open a seven-centuries-old celebration of forgiveness.
It takes more strength to forgive than to wage war,’ adding that forgiveness requires a great deal of ‘inner and cultural maturity
Pope Francis
The Celestine Pardon is celebrated annually from August 28 to 29 and was established by St. Celestine V in 1294.
While the 13th-century pope is known more for having abdicated just a few months after his election and establishing the few norms regarding a papal resignation, he issued a papal bull on the granting of a plenary indulgence to everyone who visits the Santa Maria di Collemaggio basilica, goes to confession, receives Communion and prays for the intentions of the pope.
Pope Francis celebrated Mass and opened the basilica’s holy door as well as made a private visit to the L’Aquila cathedral, which is still closed to the public because of damage from a 2009 earthquake. He also met with the families of those who died.
In his homily at the Mass, the pope pointed out that St. Celestine’s abdication was a sign of him saying “yes,” not “no,” as he was a humble servant who was seeking to choose to follow God’s will.
“In fact, there is no other way to carry out God’s will than by taking on the strength of the humble,” he said.
The humble may appear “weak” or as “failures,” he said, but “in reality, they are the real winners, because they are the ones who completely trust in the Lord and know his will.”
In a world that is dominated by pride, “the Word of God invites us to be humble and meek,” Pope Francis said.
