Pope Forgives Abortion, Creates “World Day of the Poor”
Pope Francis grants special permission among priests to forgive women and anyone who has been involved in the practice of abortion. He further instructed to set a day in the Catholic Church's liturgical calendar as the "World Day of the Poor", which will be observed every November.
The pontiff advised that "It would be a day to help communities and each of the baptized to reflect on how poverty is at the very heart of the Gospel, and that, as long as Lazarus lies at the door of our homes, there can be no justice or social peace."
On the case of abortion, the Pope reminded the people that abortion is still considered as a grave sin, because "it puts an end to an innocent life", but added that there is no sin that God cannot "wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father".
Pope Francis' concession on abortion will take an insignificant effect in places like the United States wherein the bishops had already instructed priests to grant forgiveness for the sin. Symbolically, however, Pope's announcement is a sign that he is reaching out to women and all others who had been involved in what he calls as a "very grave sin."
The document wherein the said provisions were written is called Misericordia et Misera, which translates to Mercy and Misery. He signed the document after the Mass, which also marks the end of the Jubilee year. Several Catholics attended the Holy Mass.
The Jubilee year started last December 8, 2015, during the feast of the Immaculate Conception and it ended last November 20, which is also the feast of the Christ the King. The next Jubilee year will be celebrated in 2025, except if Pope Francis or the future pope decides otherwise.
