'Don't beat up the penitent,' Pope Francis tells Capuchin confessors

(ANSA) - Vatican City, February 9 - Pope Francis told the worldwide Capuchin community to embrace the penitent who comes to confession during a special Mass in St Peter's basilica on Tuesday as part of the Jubilee events.
    "I speak to you as a brother," Pope Francis said to the Capuchins present.
    "And through you I would like to speak to all confessors, especially in the Year of Mercy: the confessional is for pardon - and [even] if you cannot give absolution - let me say hypothetically - please, do not beat up on the penitent; one who comes [to the confessional], comes seeking comfort, pardon, peace in his soul; let him find a father who embraces him and says, 'God loves you,' and makes the penitent feel that God really does." The Mass was offered in connection with the presence in Rome of the relics of two Capuchin saints, St. Pius of Pietralcina - commonly known as Padre Pio - and St. Leopold of Mandic, who were renowned as priest-confessors. "Your tradition, the tradition of the Capuchins, is a tradition of forgiveness, of giving forgiveness. There are many good confessors among you: it is because they feel themselves to be sinners," the pope said.