Pope Francis encourages Catholics to go to confession

The Roman Catholic leader made this call during Mass on February 27, 2018, at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, according to the Catholic News Agency.

Why Confession?

According to the Pontiff, confession is necessary, especially during Lent because God is “always looking for a way to get to the heart.”

“The Lord says, ‘Come now, let us reason together, let’s talk for awhile.’ He doesn’t frighten us. Let us thank the Lord for His goodness. He does not want to beat us and condemn us. He gave His life for us and this is His goodness," he adds.

During his homily, Pope Francis made reference to the book of Isaiah, which was the first reading on Tuesday.

The scripture says, “Wash yourselves clean… cease doing evil; learn to do good…though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.”

For the Pontiff, confession is the way to do what this passage says.

No need to be afraid of confessions

Noting that this particular sacrament can be intimidating for certain people, Pope Francis encourages everyone to change their mindset by seeing it as something that leads to “forgiveness, and a change of heart.”

He goes on to say, "He [Jesus] does not threaten” but instead prompts his children with “kindness, gentleness, giving us confidence.”

Pope Francis adds, “This is how the Lord calls us: ‘Come on, let’s have a coffee together. Let’s talk this over, let’s discuss it. Don’t be afraid.’”

Advice to priests on how to do confession

He closed by encouraged priests to represent Jesus properly during the sacrament of reconciliation.

The Pope urged priests to adopt Christ’s attitude which is that of “a father with a son who thinks he’s big, who believes he’s grown up but instead is really just halfway there.

“The Lord knows that we are all halfway there and many times we need this, to hear this word: ‘Come, don’t be frightened, come. There is forgiveness.’ And this encourages us to go to the Lord with an open heart. It is the Father who awaits us."

“When we priests, in the place of the Lord, have to hear confessions, we too should have this attitude of goodness.”

Lastly, Pope Francis says priests should be welcoming and approachable in order to “open the heart” and make the individual feel “at peace” during the confession.