From Vaticannews · Vatican News · · 1m 30s
Pope Leo XIV: forgive seventy times seven
At the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV argued that peace is impossible until we learn to forgive without keeping count.
In brief
At the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV argued that peace is impossible until we learn to forgive without keeping count. Forgiveness is not a nice extra. Without it, grudges harden into broken families and wars, and nothing else sets you free. Originally reported by Vaticannews.
No forgiveness, no peace
Speaking in St. Peter's Square on September 13, Pope Leo XIV said forgiveness is not optional. Skip it and grudges, accusations and revenge fill the gap.
“Forgiveness is indispensable, and without it, we cannot live in peace.”
What grudges actually destroy
He traced the damage in order: conflicts surface in individual hearts, then between people. They wreck relationships, split families and end in wars.
“these acts destroy relationships, divide families and unleash wars”
Like a gentle breeze
Forgiveness is what restores light where poverty, material and moral, has darkened the horizon. He compared it to wind clearing the thickest clouds so the sun returns.
“Forgiveness, like a gentle breeze, sweeps away even the thickest clouds until the sun shines once more.”
Seventy times seven
In Sunday's Gospel, Peter asks if seven pardons are enough. Jesus answers seventy times seven. Seven means fullness in the Bible, so the real answer is: no limit, no measure.
“I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
The servant who forgot
Christ's parable: a servant is let off an impossible debt out of pure mercy, then refuses the same to a fellow servant, and is punished. Everything we have was given, so none of us can claim to be square.
“gift and forgiveness are the foundation of our existence”
Peter, forgiven and sent
Peter denied knowing Jesus during the Passion. The risen Christ only asked, do you love me, and repeated the first invitation, follow me. The denial was treated as if it never happened.
“It was as if nothing had happened”
At a glance
Forgiveness is not a nice extra. Without it, grudges harden into broken families and wars, and nothing else sets you free.
