On August 2-- the day on which the faithful have the opportunity each year to gain the Portiuncula indulgence-- Pope Francis encouraged those attending his Sunday Angelus address to go to confession.

"Today we recall the Feast of Pardon of Assisi," the Pope said following the recitation of the Angelus. "It is a strong call to draw close to the Lord in the sacrament of mercy and also to receive Communion."

"There are people who are afraid of approaching confession, forgetting that there, we do not find a severe judge, but rather the immensely merciful Father," he added. "It’s true that when we go to the confessional, we feel a bit of embarrassment, and that happens to everyone, to all of us, but we have to recall that this shame is also a grace that prepares us for the embrace of the Father, who always forgives and always forgives everything."


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