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Published on 24 February 2020

Lent in the Basilica of St Anthony 2020

A message to all Christians by Pope Francis

Pope Francis has addressed the following message to all Christians on the occasion of the 2020 Lenten season, a time of conversion and penitence in preparation for Easter:

“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:20)

In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever anew” (No. 123). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.

Francis