ASSISI — Pope Francis visited the Italian hill town of Assisi on Thursday to mark the 800th anniversary of the ‘Pardon of Assisi’. 

 The trip saw him visit the Porziuncola chapel, a small building inside the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels where Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan order at the turn of the 13th century.

 Upon his arrival by helicopter, the Pope was greeted by the Minister General of the Franciscan order, before saying a prayer in front of the chapel. 

 The pope began by remembering the words of St Francis: “Today, I would like to remember before anything the words that, following an ancient tradition, St Francis spoke right here, before the people and the bishops: ‘I want to send you all to paradise!’ What more could the poor Assisi have asked for, than the gift of salvation, of eternal life in Heaven and of joy without end, which Jesus allowed us through his death and resurrection?”

 The pope then focused on the significance of forgiveness: “It is a difficult thing to forgive, isn’t it? How much does it cost us to forgive others? Here at the Porziuncola chapel, everything speaks of forgiveness. What a great gift our Lord gave us, when he taught us to forgive! Or at least to give us the willingness to forgive. To make us feel the mercifulness of our Father.”

 “Not long ago, we listened to the parable where Jesus teaches us to forgive. Why should we forgive someone who has done us harm? Because we ourselves have been forgiven, and to a far greater degree. Let us consider, in silence, all the evil we have done, and how the Lord has forgiven us.”

 Once he had finished speaking, the Pope entered a confessional box, and invited all bishops and friars present to do the same.

 Security at the event was high, with access to the churchyard allowed only to those with special permission. Checks were carried out on all, including priests, nuns and friars. 

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