Title: The Name of God is Mercy
Author: Pope Francis, with Andrea Tornielli
Introduction: Francis’s Vision
This introductory chapter sets the stage for the book by establishing the centrality of mercy in Pope Francis’s papacy. It opens with Francis’s first homily after his election in 2013, where he poignantly declared, “The message of Jesus is mercy. For me, and I say this with humility, it is the Lord’s strongest message.” This sets the tone for the book, which explores Francis’s vision of mercy as the defining characteristic of a welcoming and forgiving Church.
The introduction then delves into two specific homilies by Francis, both focusing on the Gospel passage about the adulterous woman. These homilies illustrate Francis’s belief that God forgives not through decrees but through a loving caress. He emphasizes that mercy doesn’t erase sin but is the way God forgives, providing a path for healing and redemption.
The introduction then reveals the genesis of the Holy Year of Mercy, which stemmed from Francis’s desire to showcase the Church’s compassionate face and offer healing to a wounded world. This context informs the book’s structure, as it is based on a series of conversations between author Andrea Tornielli and Pope Francis, focusing on the theme of mercy and forgiveness.
Tornielli highlights Francis’s willingness to acknowledge his own need for mercy and his commitment to seeking every opportunity to offer forgiveness, even to those who may feel unworthy. The introduction concludes with an anecdote from Bruce Marshall’s novel To Every Man a Penny, further illustrating this idea. The story of a priest seeking to absolve a dying soldier who struggles to repent demonstrates the lengths to which God and those acting in his name will go to find even the smallest opening for grace and forgiveness.
Chapter 1: A Time for Mercy
This chapter delves into the origins and meaning of the Holy Year of Mercy. Francis reveals that there was no single defining moment that led to its proclamation. Instead, the decision emerged gradually through prayer, reflection on the teachings of previous Popes, and his own experiences as a priest and confessor.
Francis explains that his emphasis on mercy stems from the realization that humanity is deeply wounded and often feels incapable of healing. He believes that the Church must actively seek out those who are suffering, offering them love and compassion instead of judgment and condemnation.
The Pope connects the notion of mercy with the concept of kairos, the opportune moment. He explains that John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II all spoke about the importance of mercy in their own ways. John XXIII saw mercy as the medicine the Church should use rather than rigor; Paul VI linked mercy with poverty, recognizing his own need for God’s grace; and John Paul II proclaimed mercy as God’s most amazing attribute.
Francis also shares personal experiences that shaped his understanding of mercy. He speaks about his confessor, Father Carlos Duarte Ibarra, who helped him understand the expression “miserando atque eligendo” (having mercy and choosing), which he later adopted as his episcopal motto. This phrase, originating from the writings of the Venerable Bede, encapsulates the way Jesus offers mercy and chooses even those who seem unworthy.
This chapter establishes the foundation for the rest of the book, explaining why Francis believes that our era is a time for mercy and how his own life experiences have shaped this understanding.
Chapter 2: The Gift of Confession
In this chapter, the conversation shifts to the importance of confession. Francis emphasizes that confession is not merely about asking for forgiveness in private but about acknowledging our sins before another person who acts in the name of Jesus. He argues that this act of vulnerability helps us confront the reality of our sin and experience the healing power of God’s grace.
Francis uses the story of Saint Ignatius to illustrate this point. Before his conversion, Ignatius, wounded in battle, confessed his sins to a fellow soldier, unable to find a priest. This highlights the inherent human need to confess our wrongdoings to another person.
Francis goes on to explain that confession is a social act because our sins affect not just ourselves but also our relationships with others and with society. Confessing to a priest allows us to place our lives in the hands of someone who embodies Jesus, offering us compassion and forgiveness.
The Pope shares personal anecdotes about his own experiences as a confessor. He recounts the story of an elderly woman who told him that “without mercy, without God’s forgiveness, the world would not exist.” This encounter solidified his belief in the transformative power of God’s mercy and its essential role in human existence.
Francis also criticizes the tendency to treat confession as a mere formality. He emphasizes that it should not be a “dry cleaner” where sins are simply removed like stains on clothing. Instead, confession should be a process of healing, where wounds are treated and individuals are guided towards a path of true repentance and change.
He further cautions against treating the confessional as a “torture chamber” where confessors pry into unnecessary details or make penitents feel excessively ashamed. Instead, confession should be a space of compassionate listening and gentle guidance, where forgiveness is offered freely and individuals are empowered to begin anew.
This chapter underlines the significance of confession as a vital sacrament of healing and reconciliation. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sins before another person and experiencing the transformative power of God’s mercy through the act of forgiveness.
Chapter 3: Looking for the Smallest Opening
This chapter explores the conditions necessary for obtaining mercy. Francis stresses that recognizing ourselves as sinners is a grace in itself, a gift from God that allows us to acknowledge our need for his forgiveness. He argues that without this awareness, we remain trapped in self-sufficiency and fail to experience the transformative power of God’s love.
The chapter begins with a discussion of what it takes to seek mercy. Francis suggests that it starts with a feeling of being overwhelmed by our own failings, a realization that we can no longer manage alone and need to be healed and forgiven. This “shattered heart,” as described by the Church Fathers, becomes the starting point for receiving God’s mercy.
Francis emphasizes that God actively seeks out even the smallest opening in our hearts to offer his forgiveness. He uses the example from Bruce Marshall’s novel To Every Man a Penny to illustrate this point. The dying soldier who struggles to repent ultimately expresses sorrow for not being sorry, providing the priest with the opportunity to offer absolution.
The Pope argues that God’s mercy is infinitely greater than our sins and always precedes our need for it. He waits patiently for us to acknowledge our shortcomings, no matter how small, so he can offer his forgiveness and grace.
Francis then addresses the common question of what to do when someone repeatedly confesses the same sins. He suggests that habitual confessions without genuine self-reflection can become rote and fail to lead to true change. He encourages penitents to move beyond formulaic confessions and engage in sincere self-examination, recognizing the full extent of their need for God’s mercy.
However, Francis distinguishes habitual confession from the situation of someone who struggles with the same sin repeatedly and genuinely desires to change. He emphasizes that God always offers forgiveness and the opportunity to start over, regardless of how many times we fall. He uses the example of a single mother forced into prostitution to provide for her children, highlighting the importance of offering support and understanding even in challenging situations.
This chapter reinforces the idea that God actively seeks to offer forgiveness and that even the smallest step towards him, even a simple desire for change, can be enough to open the door to his boundless mercy.
Chapter 4: A Sinner, Like Simon Peter
This chapter focuses on Pope Francis’s personal identification as a sinner and how this shapes his understanding of mercy. He argues that acknowledging one’s own sinfulness is essential for experiencing God’s mercy and for offering compassion to others.
Francis addresses the striking statement he made to prisoners in Bolivia, where he said, “Standing before you is a man who has been forgiven for his many sins.” He argues that this shouldn’t be surprising, as even Popes are human and in need of God’s grace. He cites examples from the life of Paul VI, who recognized his own wretchedness and need for redemption, and John Paul I, who described himself as “dust” before God.
Francis draws parallels between himself and Saint Peter, who betrayed Jesus yet was still chosen to lead the Church. This example, he argues, shows that God’s mercy extends even to those who have committed grave sins and that acknowledging our failings allows us to experience the transformative power of God’s forgiveness.
The Pope explains that recognizing ourselves as sinners stems from understanding the concept of original sin, a wound within human nature that leads us to choose evil even when we know what is good. However, he emphasizes that God’s mercy overcomes this wound through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Francis then discusses the parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on the contrast between the father’s mercy and the older son’s judgment. He argues that the Church should follow the example of the father, offering forgiveness and welcome to all who recognize their need for mercy, even if their actions have caused harm.
The Pope emphasizes that God never tires of offering forgiveness, while we often grow weary of asking for it. He encourages us to embrace the reality of our sinfulness, allowing God to work within us and offer us new possibilities.
This chapter highlights the importance of acknowledging our own sinfulness as a key step in experiencing God’s mercy. It emphasizes that even those who have made grave mistakes can receive forgiveness and find redemption, just like Simon Peter.
Chapter 5: Too Much Mercy?
This chapter tackles the question of whether there can be “too much mercy,” a concern sometimes voiced within the Church. Francis argues that God’s mercy is limitless and that the Church should be a beacon of compassion and forgiveness, rather than a dispenser of judgment and punishment.
The chapter starts by addressing the tension between truth and mercy, or doctrine and mercy. Francis acknowledges that the Church must condemn sin, but he stresses that mercy is a fundamental aspect of doctrine itself. He uses the example of the adulterous woman, forgiven by Jesus despite her sin, to illustrate that the focus should be on welcoming and forgiving sinners rather than on rigidly enforcing the law.
Francis then discusses the role of the “scholars of the law” in the Gospels, often presented as opponents of Jesus who prioritize doctrine over compassion. He argues that this tendency to prioritize rules and boundaries over love and forgiveness persists in the Church today. He criticizes those who focus on condemning others while remaining blind to their own faults, highlighting the hypocrisy of such an approach.
The Pope contrasts the logic of the scholars of the law with the logic of God, who embraces sinners and seeks their salvation. He uses the example of Jesus healing the lepers to illustrate this point. Despite the Law of Moses demanding their exclusion, Jesus reaches out to them, heals them, and brings them back into the community.
Francis acknowledges the risk of “contamination” when engaging with those who are marginalized or sinful, but he argues that Christians must be willing to enter into the darkness to offer compassion and support. He encourages us to share our own experiences of mercy without judging or condemning others.
He then delves into the theme of corruption, describing it as a sin that becomes ingrained in one’s way of life, leading to a lack of humility and a denial of one’s need for forgiveness. He argues that corruption is more insidious than sin because it creates a false sense of self-sufficiency and often masks itself behind outward displays of piety.
Francis concludes the chapter by emphasizing that God never tires of forgiving, while we often tire of asking for forgiveness. He encourages us to open ourselves to God’s limitless mercy, recognizing that no sin can overcome his love and willingness to offer us new beginnings.
This chapter affirms that God’s mercy is limitless and that the Church should follow his example by prioritizing compassion and forgiveness over judgment and condemnation. It highlights the dangers of corruption and encourages us to embrace God’s boundless love, which offers redemption even to those who have strayed far from his path.
Chapter 6: Shepherds, Not Scholars of the Law
This chapter continues the discussion of corruption and its societal impact. Francis argues that corruption is not just an individual sin but a societal ill that undermines justice and destroys human dignity. He emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and compassion in combating this corrosive force.
The chapter begins by differentiating between sinners and the corrupt. While sinners may fall into wrongdoing, they can still be open to repentance and forgiveness. The corrupt, on the other hand, are characterized by a lack of humility and a refusal to acknowledge their need for redemption. They often lead double lives, masking their transgressions behind outward displays of virtue.
Francis links corruption to a loss of modesty, a sense of shame that safeguards truth, goodness, and beauty. He argues that the corrupt become so entrenched in their self-sufficiency that they lose sight of their own failings and become blind to the suffering they inflict on others.
The Pope then delves into the social implications of corruption, noting its prevalence in news stories and its destructive impact on communities. He condemns those who engage in corrupt practices while pretending to be virtuous, highlighting the hypocrisy and the harm they cause.
Francis argues that earthly justice and God’s mercy are not contradictory but complementary. He points to growing global awareness of the need for rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-prisoners, demonstrating a shift towards a more compassionate approach to justice.
The Pope emphasizes that God offers forgiveness and new possibilities to everyone, while we often struggle to forgive those who have wronged us. He urges us to imitate God’s example by offering compassion and support to those who have fallen, helping them find their way back to a life of dignity and purpose.
This chapter highlights the importance of combating corruption not just through legal means but also through cultivating a culture of forgiveness and compassion. It challenges us to examine our own attitudes and behaviors, recognizing that we are all capable of both sin and redemption.
Chapter 7: Mercy and Compassion
This chapter distinguishes between the related but distinct concepts of mercy and compassion. While both are expressions of love, mercy refers to God’s forgiveness of sin, while compassion involves sharing in the suffering of others.
Francis explains that mercy is rooted in the divine, while compassion has a more human dimension. He uses the Greek word splanchnízomai to describe compassion, a term that emphasizes visceral empathy, similar to the love of a parent for a child.
The Pope then explores how God’s compassion manifests in Jesus’s interactions with those who are suffering. He cites the example of Jesus feeling pity for the exhausted crowds who followed him and the grieving widow of Nain whose son he raised from the dead.
Francis emphasizes that compassion is not merely an external observation but an active engagement with the suffering of others. He argues that compassion is essential in today’s world to combat the “globalization of indifference,” a tendency to disregard the pain and struggles of those around us.
He then discusses the similarities and differences between divine and human mercy. While God’s mercy is infinite and boundless, human mercy is a reflection of that divine attribute, imperfect but still capable of transforming lives.
The Pope encourages us to follow the example of Jesus by reaching out to those in need, offering compassion and support without judgment or condemnation. He highlights the parable of the king who invites everyone, both good and bad, to the banquet, illustrating God’s desire to embrace all his children.
This chapter provides a nuanced understanding of mercy and compassion, highlighting their interconnectedness and their significance in both our relationship with God and our interactions with others. It challenges us to move beyond indifference and actively engage with the suffering of those around us, offering compassion and support as reflections of God’s boundless love.
Chapter 8: Living the Holy Year of Mercy
This chapter focuses on how believers can actively live out the spirit of the Holy Year of Mercy. Francis emphasizes the importance of opening ourselves to God’s mercy through confession and extending that same mercy to others.
The Pope encourages individuals to approach the confessional with faith, allowing God to surprise them with his forgiveness and love. He argues that experiencing God’s mercy firsthand motivates us to be more merciful towards others.
Francis then discusses the enduring relevance of the traditional Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. He explains that these acts of service and compassion, though ancient in origin, remain vital in the modern world as ways to encounter Christ in those who are marginalized and suffering.
The Corporal Works of Mercy, which include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead, provide concrete ways to address the physical needs of those who are struggling.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy, which include counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing sinners, comforting the afflicted, forgiving offenses, bearing wrongs patiently, and praying for the living and dead, focus on addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of others.
Francis emphasizes that by engaging in these Works of Mercy, we not only alleviate the suffering of others but also deepen our own relationship with Christ. He reminds us that Jesus identified himself with the “least of these,” stating that whatever we do for the marginalized, we do for him.
The Pope concludes the chapter by urging us to embrace the Holy Year of Mercy as an opportunity for both personal and communal transformation. He encourages us to open our hearts to God’s forgiveness, allowing his mercy to flow through us and touch the lives of those around us.
This chapter provides practical guidance for living out the spirit of mercy in our daily lives. It challenges us to move beyond passive belief and actively engage in acts of compassion and service, recognizing that by extending mercy to others, we ultimately encounter and deepen our relationship with Christ.
Appendix: Misericordiae Vultus: Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
This appendix includes the full text of Pope Francis’s Bull of Indiction, the official document proclaiming the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. It provides a comprehensive theological framework for the Holy Year, exploring the biblical roots and profound significance of God’s mercy.
The Bull begins by highlighting the centrality of mercy in the Christian faith, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. It calls upon believers to contemplate this mystery and to live as witnesses of God’s compassionate love.
The document explains the historical context of the Jubilee, connecting it to the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. It emphasizes the Council’s call for a renewed engagement with the world and a more compassionate approach to evangelization.
The Bull then explores the biblical understanding of mercy, citing numerous passages from the Old and New Testaments that illustrate God’s loving concern for his people. It emphasizes that God’s mercy is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality that manifests in his actions and his desire for our well-being.
The document also addresses the relationship between justice and mercy, arguing that they are not contradictory but complementary aspects of God’s love. While justice demands accountability for wrongdoing, mercy offers forgiveness and the opportunity for redemption.
The Bull emphasizes the role of the Church in proclaiming and enacting God’s mercy, calling upon it to be a beacon of compassion and forgiveness for the world. It encourages confessors to be genuine signs of God’s love, offering absolution and guidance to those seeking reconciliation.
The document concludes by invoking the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, and Saint Faustina Kowalska, apostle of mercy, asking for their guidance and support during the Holy Year. It urges believers to open their hearts to God’s forgiveness and to live as witnesses of his boundless love, extending mercy to all those in need.
The Bull of Indiction provides a rich and insightful theological foundation for the Holy Year of Mercy, offering a compelling vision of God’s compassionate love and challenging believers to embody that love in their thoughts, words, and actions.