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First of all, you ask me if the God of Christians forgives one who doesn't believe and doesn't seek the faith. Premise that - and it's the fundamental thing - the mercy of God has no limits if one turns to him with a sincere and contrite heart; the question for one who doesn't believe in God lies in obeying one's conscience.
Pope Francis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

God's mercy is limitless for those who sincerely seek it, regardless of their beliefs.

Pope Francis highlights that God's mercy extends to all, even those who do not believe in Him, as long as they approach Him with a genuine and contrite heart. The core of one's moral obligation lies in adhering to one's own conscience, suggesting that the essence of faith may be found in the authenticity of one’s heart rather than mere belief.

Themes

MercyForgivenessFaithConscienceSincerity

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon to encourage believers to show compassion to non-believers.

More from Pope Francis

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I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.
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No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles. While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice
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We face so many challenges in life: poverty, distress, humiliation, the struggle for justice, persecutions, the difficulty of daily conversion, the effort to remain faithful to our call to holiness, and many others. But if we open the door to Jesus and allow him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give.
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More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society.
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This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.
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