Pope Leo XIV said forgiveness is at the heart of Christian hope, urging the faithful to follow Christ’s example of love that does not retreat even in the face of betrayal.
Speaking at his Wednesday General Audience on August 20, the pope reflected on the Last Supper when Jesus offered a morsel of bread to Judas, the disciple who was about to hand him over to the authorities.
“To love until the end: here is the key to understanding Christ’s heart,” the pope said, stressing that forgiveness “does not await repentance, but offers itself first, as a free gift, even before it is accepted.”
He explained that true forgiveness does not ignore evil or deny pain, but “prevents it from generating further evil.” Even when rejected, forgiveness liberates the one who offers it, restoring peace and dispelling resentment.
“Every betrayal can become an opportunity for salvation, if it is chosen as a space for a greater love,” Pope Leo said, adding that Christ’s love is stronger than hatred and does not allow darkness to prevail.
The pope acknowledged that people face “nights of the soul” marked by pain, disappointment, or betrayal, but insisted that hope shines when forgiveness takes root. “Jesus teaches us that one can offer a morsel even to someone who turns their back on us,” he said.
At the end of his catechesis, Pope Leo renewed his appeal for fasting and prayer on August 22, the memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to implore peace in war-torn regions including the Holy Land and Ukraine.
“Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path to peace,” he said.
The pope also greeted pilgrims from across the world, including groups from England, Finland, Malta, Senegal, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United States, praying that the Jubilee of Hope would be a time of healing and spiritual renewal.
