Pope calls for amnesties for prisoners during Jubilee

The Pope was speaking in St Peter’s Basilica at a Mass for the Jubilee for Prisoners and those work in prisons on December 14. It is the final jubilee of the Holy Year.

He referred to December last year, when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in the Church of Our Father in the prison in Rebibbia, Italy on December 26.

“. . .  [He] was inviting us to keep alive our faith in the life to come and always to believe in the possibility of a better future,” the Pope said.

“At the same time, however, he was exhorting us to be people who practise, with generous hearts, justice and charity in the places where we live,” Leo said.

“Certainly, prison is a difficult place and even the best proposals can encounter many obstacles. For this reason, however, we must never tire, be discouraged or give up,” the Pope said, adding that “no human being is defined only by his or her actions and that justice is always a process of reparation and reconciliation”.

Pope Francis also “hoped that during this Jubilee year ‘forms of amnesty or pardon meant to help individuals regain confidence in themselves and in society’ could be granted and real opportunities of reintegration could be offered to all”, Pope Leo said. He expressed his hope that many countries are following this desire of Pope Francis.

Pope Leo also acknowledged many problems in prisons such as overcrowding, insufficient commitment to guarantee stable educational programmes for rehabilitation and job opportunities.

FULL STORY

Pope Leo calls on governments to grant pardons for prisoners during Jubilee year (CruxNow)

Jubilee of Prisoners: Hope is not lost for anyone (Vatican News)