"Loving and forgiving are concrete and visible signs that the faith has transformed our hearts," allowing us "to love and forgive as God loves and forgives."
During the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis said, the Holy Door is a sign of faith in Jesus, who came who came to save, not to judge.
The pontiff warned against those who suggest that one must pay for salvation. "You do not buy salvation! The door is Jesus, and he is free! Salvation is free! It is a sign of true conversion in our hearts."
Those who walk through the open Holy Door should ask the Lord for help in keeping their hearts open, whereby they share the Lord's love with others, the Pope continued.
"Just as the Holy Door remains open, in order for it to be the sign of welcome which God Himself reserves for us, so too may our door always be wide open in order to exclude no one," including those we find annoying.
Pope Francis stressed the importance of the Sacrament of Confession as an important sign of the Jubilee of Mercy.
To receive the sacrament by which we are reconciled with God is to have direct experience of his mercy," the Pope said. "When we recognize our sins there is a celebration in Heaven!"
The pontiff reiterated that we cannot receive God's forgiveness if we ourselves are unable to forgive.
"Certainly, forgiveness is not easy," and cannot be accomplished on our strength alone. "If, however, we are open to welcoming God's mercy for us, we too will become capable of forgiveness."
"Therefore, have courage!" he said. "We live the Jubilee starting with these signs that involve the great strength of love."