“Lent is the time for allowing one’s heart to be touched…” — Pontiff says

During Mass on Ash Wednesday, the head of the Roman Catholic church reminded everyone to allow their hearts to be touched during this period.

Pope Francis advised that the following 40 days of Lent should be used as a time to “pause” from distractions as people focus on God.

“[Lent] is the time for allowing one’s heart to be touched … as “persisting on the path of evil only gives rise to disappointment and sadness. True life is something quite distinct and our heart indeed knows this. God does not tire, nor will he tire, of holding out his hand."

“Return without fear to those outstretched, eager arms of your Father, who is rich in mercy, who awaits you. Return without fear, for this is the favorable time to come home,” he said.

Full Ash Wednesday message from Pope Francis

Continuing with his homily, the Pontiff advised people to let go of the desire “to control everything, know everything, destroy everything,” as this comes from a place of ingratitude.

He advised everyone to enjoy the “creative power of silence” during Lent in order to “leave behind the unrest and commotion that fill the soul with bitter feelings which never get us anywhere.

“Pause from this compulsion to a fast-paced life that scatters, divides and ultimately destroys time with family, with friends, with children, with grandparents, and time as a gift … time with God.”

Pope Francis went on to call out “haughty looks” and “fleeting and pejorative comments,” as he encouraged everyone to take a break from words with no “tenderness, compassion and reverence for the encounter with others, particularly those who are vulnerable, hurt and even immersed in sin and error.”

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Another advice was for people to learn to “see the remorseful faces of so many who try to repair their errors and mistakes and who from their misfortune and suffering fight to transform their situations and move forward.”

Pope Francis’ last word of advice was for everyone to use Lent to “see and contemplate the face of Crucified Love.

“See and contemplate the real face of Christ crucified out of love for everyone, without exception. For everyone? Yes, for everyone. To see his face is an invitation filled with hope for this Lenten time, in order to defeat the demons of distrust, apathy, and resignation.”

National Catholic Register reports that after the homily, Pope Francis also prayed the Stations of the Cross at St. Anselm Church in Rome.

Afterwards, he celebrated Mass, benediction, and the imposition of ashes at the Basilica of Santa Sabina.