Vatican City, Jun 1, 2016 / 10:29 am
Pope Francis has sent a special message to support the work of prison chaplains during the Year of Mercy.
"He especially wishes to assure all who are serving prison communities of his prayerful solidarity and deep gratitude for their efforts in upholding the human dignity of all those incarcerated," Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, said to a European meeting of chaplains June 1.
The Pope also thanked prison chaplains for helping the incarcerated to celebrate the Year of Mercy. The observance includes the establishing of Holy Doors in various churches and prisons to help encourage growth in grace.
The Roman Pontiff specifically reflected on how prisoners can use Holy Doors in prisons in his September 2015 letter about the Year of Mercy.