Pope Francis Explains, 'It is Never Too Late'

In his Angelus address on September 24, Pope Francis delivered a powerful message of God's boundless love, emphasizing that it's never too late for individuals to receive this divine love. Speaking from the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square, the Pope articulated the concept that God's love transcends human notions of deserving or earning it.

Photo credit: Nacho Arteaga

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
9/25/2023 (7 months ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, God's love, Unconditional love, Angelus address, Euthanasia condemnation, Migrant crisis, Inclusive communities, Gospel of Matthew, Superior justice, Ecumenical prayer

Pope Francis reminded the faithful that God doesn't wait for individuals to make efforts or respond; instead, God actively seeks out humanity. The Pope highlighted the inclusive nature of God's love, emphasizing that it's not contingent on our merits. He said, "This is how God is: He does not wait for our efforts to come to us. He does not give up if we are late in responding to him. On the contrary, he himself has taken the initiative and through Jesus came to us to show us his love."

Drawing from St. Gregory the Great's teachings, Pope Francis noted that God's pursuit of humanity knows no temporal bounds. He mentioned that God seeks us at all stages and seasons of life, including old age. In a profound reflection, the Pope underlined, "For his heart, it is never too late; he is always looking for us and waiting for us."

Pope Francis's Angelus address came on the heels of a strong condemnation of euthanasia during his return flight from Marseille, where he also spoke on the Mediterranean migrant crisis. He emphasized the need for a compassionate and collaborative response from European nations in addressing the challenges posed by the migrant crisis. The Pope highlighted that World Migrant and Refugee Day celebrated on that Sunday underscored the importance of making migration a free choice and not the only option for those affected by poverty, conflict, and climate crises.

Reflecting on his visit to France, Pope Francis stressed the importance of creating communities capable of welcoming and integrating migrants. He affirmed that every person deserves the opportunity to live a dignified life, irrespective of their circumstances. The Pope acknowledged the role of poverty, conflicts, and climate crises in forcing people to flee their homes, and he called on all to open their doors to those seeking refuge.