Pope Francis: The Death of Christ is Proof of God's Love

Reflects on the Mercy of God During Angelus Address

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«This is simplest expression that summarizes the whole Gospel, all of faith and all of theology: God loves us with a free and boundless love.»

These were the words said by Pope Francis during his Sunday Angelus address today to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. The Holy Father began by reflecting on today’s Gospel in which Christ says to Nicodemus that «God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.»

«Listening to this word, we turn our heart’s gaze to Jesus Crucified and we feel in us that God loves us, He truly loves us, and He loves us so much!» the Pope said.

Citing St. Irenaeus’s Against Heresies and the Eucharistic Prayer IV, the Pope noted that God chooses his people not because mankind deserves it or if He is in need of men, but precisely because «it is the smallest among all peoples.»

«The Cross of Christ is the supreme proof of the Love of God for us: Jesus has loved us «until the end», meaning not only at the final moment of his earthly life, but until extreme limit of love,» he said. «If in creation the Father has given us the proof of his great love by giving us life, in the passion of His Son He has given us the sum of all proofs: He has come to suffer and die for us.»

Concluding his address, Pope Francis entrusted the faithful to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying that «She be close to us in the moments of difficulty […] so that our Lenten itinerary may be an experience of forgiveness, of welcome and of charity.»

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On ZENIT’s webpage:

For the full text of the Pope’s address, go to: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/angelus-address-on-the-greatness-of-god-s-love

To read on the Pope’s appeal for peace in Pakistan, go to: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-world-is-trying-to-hide-persecution-of-christians

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Junno Arocho Esteves

Newark, New Jersey, USA Bachelor of Science degree in Diplomacy and International Relations.

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