Vatican City, Feb 27, 2018 / 15:22 pm
During the penitential season of Lent, Pope Francis pointed to confession as the means to true conversion, saying the faithful should approach the sacrament with trust and confidence.
"The Lord says, 'Come now, let us reason together, let's talk for awhile.' He doesn't frighten us," said Pope Francis during Mass on Feb. 27 at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
"Let us thank the Lord for His goodness. He does not want to beat us and condemn us. He gave His life for us and this is His goodness," the Holy Father continued, saying God is "always looking for a way to get to the heart."
Pope Francis referenced the first reading during Mass from the book of Isaiah, which says, "Wash yourselves clean… cease doing evil; learn to do good…though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool."