---
title: Pope Leo XIV: Forgiveness is essential for peace
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/pope-leo-xiv-forgiveness-is-essential-for-peace
published: 2026-09-13T23:39:46+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/sv/paven/news/2026-09/pavens-angelus-utan-forlatelse-kan-vi-inte-leva-i-fred.html
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Pope Leo XIV: Forgiveness is essential for peace

Pope Leo XIV stated that forgiveness is indispensable for living in peace with one another during his Angelus address on Sunday, September 13, on St. Peter's Square. He described forgiveness as a healing love capable of overcoming all human hatred, bitterness, and division. The Pope emphasized that without forgiveness, individuals cannot maintain peaceful relations, as conflicts, accusations, and acts of revenge inevitably arise in human hearts and between people. These destructive actions damage relationships, split families, and trigger wars. He noted that only forgiveness liberates people and restores light, even in places where human, material, and moral poverty has darkened the horizon and made the path uncertain. The Pope compared forgiveness to a gentle wind that scatters the thickest clouds until the sun shines again. He urged the faithful to ask the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, to help them forgive, even when taking the first step is difficult. He encouraged them to spread the peaceful and healing light of love with courage and perseverance, a light that overcomes hatred and disarms all resentment.

The Pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel from the Gospel of Matthew, where Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who has sinned against him, suggesting seven times might be enough. Jesus replied that he should forgive seventy times seven. The Pope explained that the number seven symbolizes fullness in the Bible. Therefore, Jesus is saying that Christians are called to forgive beyond all limits and without measure. He stressed that forgiveness is a fundamental characteristic of Christian life. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of a servant who owed an impossible debt to his master but was forgiven out of pure mercy. Despite this, the servant did not show the same mercy to one of his fellow servants and was punished. The Pope highlighted that Jesus uses these words to remind us that the gift and forgiveness are the foundation of our existence. He stated that everything is given to us by God out of pure love, and no one can claim to be perfect in their response to such goodness.

The Pope insisted that the freedom from repayment is not only the source of our existence but also the best rule for our life together. This allows us to live in harmony with one another and be freed from what weighs us down. The Pope also pointed to Peter as an example of experiencing Jesus' forgiveness. After denying that he knew Jesus during his suffering, despite being one of his closest disciples, Peter met the risen Christ. Jesus asked him, Simon, do you love me? This was followed by the command, Follow me, the same command he had received at their first meeting. The Pope noted that it was as if nothing had happened, as if Peter's denial of Christ had never taken place. This love, which forgives and heals, was so strong that it meant the confirmation of his mission for the foremost of the apostles.