Pope Francis publishes his spiritual legacy

Under the title "He loved us" ("Dilexit nos"), Pope Francis published his fourth papal teaching letter on Thursday. In the text of the encyclical, which is described in church circles as the 87-year-old's "spiritual testament", the Pope explains the sources from which he draws his faith and his commitment to a world of solidarity.

The Pope writes: "When we draw on this love, we become capable of forging bonds of brotherhood, recognising the dignity of every human being and caring for the environment together." Francis takes a very critical look at the current spiritual state of the world and calls on the Church to once again proclaim and live love as the very core of the Christian message.

Criticism of consumer society

At the end of the encyclical, it says: "We are driven to accumulate, consume and distract ourselves, trapped in a degrading system that does not allow us to see beyond our immediate and paltry needs. The love of Christ stands outside this perverse system, and he alone can free us from this fever (...). He is able to give this earth a heart and to revitalise love where we think the ability to love is dead forever."

In the encyclical, the Pope urges the Church not to lose itself in rituals and trivial debates, but to focus on the essentials. He writes: "The Christian model of life is attractive when it can be lived and expressed holistically: not as a mere refuge in religious sentiment or in pompous rituals. What kind of service to Christ would it be if we were content with an individual relationship without any interest in helping others so that they suffer less and live better?"

People should pass on God's love

The Pope goes on to explain that people who have experienced the love of Christ cannot help but "pass on this love that has changed their lives". They do not want to "waste time discussing secondary issues or imposing truths and rules, because their main concern is to pass on what they experience".

In the text, which is very personal in places, the Pope also writes about his own childhood experiences. At the same time, he recalls in detail the rich religious heritage of the so-called devotion to the Sacred Heart, which characterised large parts of the Catholic Church from the 18th to the 20th century, starting in France. This piety emphasises the direct experience of the love of Jesus as the source of faith and active charity. (KNA)