Pope Leo XIV Asks Do "Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts" Examine Their "conscience and confess?"
Pope Leo XIV held an audience on Friday with participants in the 36th Course on the Internal Forum, organized annually by the Apostolic Penitentiary. The course offers priests and seminarians extended training regarding issues connected with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and typically concludes with a papal audience.
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE XXXVI COURSE ON THE INTERNAL FORUM ORGANIZED BY THE APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY
in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on Friday, March 13, 2026
______________________________
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Your Eminence, Your Excellency, dear priests, deacons, and others who accompany us, good morning and welcome!
I am very happy to meet those who, in the first steps of their priestly ministry, or awaiting ordainment, are perfecting their formation as confessors through the Course on the Internal Forum, offered annually by the Apostolic Penitentiary .
I extend cordial greetings to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary, to the Regent, Msgr. Nykiel, and to all the members of the Penitentiary, to the ordinary and extraordinary Penitentiaries of the Papal Basilicas, and to all of you, participants in this Course. It was strongly desired by Saint John Paul II, who supported it with his pastoral passion, and was confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI with his theological wisdom, as well as by Pope Francis , who has always had great care for the merciful face of the Church.
I also urge you to continue in this service, deepening and expanding the educational offerings, so that the fourth Sacrament may be ever more deeply understood, adequately celebrated, and therefore serenely and effectively experienced by all of God's holy people.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation—we know—has undergone notable development throughout history, both in its theological understanding and in its celebratory form. The Church, mother and teacher, has progressively recognized its meaning and function, expanding the possibility of its celebration. Yet, the reiteration of the Sacrament does not always correspond, on the part of the baptized, with a willingness to resort to it: it is as if the infinite treasure of the Church's mercy remains "untapped," due to a widespread distraction among Christians who, not infrequently, remain in a state of sin for long periods, rather than approaching the confessional, with simplicity of faith and heart, to receive the gift of the Risen Lord.
It was the Fourth Lateran Council, in 1215, that established that every Christian is required to make sacramental confession at least once a year; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church , after the Second Vatican Council , confirmed this norm (cf. CCC , n. 1457 ), which is also the law of the Church: "Every member of the faithful, having reached the age of discretion, is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year" ( CIC 989 ).
St. Augustine states: "Whoever recognizes his own sins and condemns them is already in agreement with God. God condemns your sins; and if you also condemn them, you unite yourself with God" ( In Iohannis evangelium tractatus 12, 13: CCL 36, 128). Recognizing our sins, especially during this time of Lent, therefore means "agreeing" with God, uniting ourselves to Him.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is thus a "laboratory of unity": it re-establishes unity with God through the forgiveness of sins and the infusion of sanctifying grace. This generates the person's inner unity and unity with the Church; therefore, it also fosters peace and unity within the human family. One might ask: do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to undertake a serious examination of conscience and confess?
But—we ask ourselves again—can man, a small and simple creature, truly "break unity" with the Creator? Isn't this image partial and, ultimately, mortifying of the Revelation that Jesus gave us of God?
Upon closer inspection, sin does not break unity, understood as the creature's ontological dependence on the Creator: even the sinner remains totally dependent on God the Creator, and this dependence, when recognized, can open the way to conversion. Rather, sin breaks spiritual unity with God: it is a turning away from Him, and this dramatic possibility is as real as the gift of freedom that God Himself has given to human beings. Denying the possibility that sin truly breaks unity with God is, in reality, a disregard for the dignity of man, who is—and remains—free and therefore responsible for his own actions.
Dear young priests and ordinands, always be keenly aware of the lofty task that Christ himself, through the Church, entrusts to you: to rebuild the unity of people with God through the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The entire life of a priest can be fully realized by celebrating this Sacrament assiduously and faithfully. And indeed, how many priests have become saints in the confessional! Let us think only of St. John Vianney , St. Leopold Mandić , and, more recently, St. Pio of Pietrelcina and Blessed Michał Sopoćko .
The unity re-established with God is also unity with the Church, which is the mystical body of Christ: we are members of the "whole Christ." The theme of your course this year , "The Church Called to Be a House of Mercy," would be incomprehensible if it did not begin from its root, which is the risen Jesus Christ. The Church welcomes people as a "house of Mercy," because first and foremost, she continually welcomes her Lord, in the Word heard and proclaimed, and in the grace of the Sacraments.
For this reason, in the celebration of sacramental Confession, as penitents are reconciled with God and the Church, the Church herself is built up, enriched by the renewed holiness of her repentant and forgiven children. In the confessional, dear brothers and sisters, we collaborate in the ongoing building of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic; and in doing so, we also give new energy to society and the world.
Unity with God and with the Church, finally, is the prerequisite for the inner unity of people, so necessary today in this time of fragmentation we live in. This inner unity is found as a real desire, especially in the new generations. The unfulfilled promises of unbridled consumerism and the frustrating experience of freedom separated from truth can, by divine mercy, be transformed into opportunities for evangelization: by bringing out the sense of incompleteness, they awaken those existential questions to which only Christ fully answers. God became man to save us, and he does so also by educating our religious sense, our irrepressible quest for truth and love, so that we can welcome the Mystery in which "we live and move and have our being" ( Acts 17:28).
This dynamic of unity with God, with the Church, and within ourselves is a prerequisite for peace among men and peoples: only a reconciled person is capable of living disarmingly and disarmingly! Those who lay aside the weapons of pride and allow themselves to be continually renewed by God's forgiveness become agents of reconciliation in everyday life. In them, the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi come true: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
Dearest ones, never fail to approach the Sacrament of Forgiveness with faithful constancy, so that you may always be the first beneficiaries of the Divine Mercy, of which you have become—or will become—ministers. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, always accompany your journey and enlighten your steps. Upon you and your daily commitment, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you.
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE XXXVI COURSE ON THE INTERNAL FORUM ORGANIZED BY THE APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY
in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on Friday, March 13, 2026
______________________________
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you!
Your Eminence, Your Excellency, dear priests, deacons, and others who accompany us, good morning and welcome!
I am very happy to meet those who, in the first steps of their priestly ministry, or awaiting ordainment, are perfecting their formation as confessors through the Course on the Internal Forum, offered annually by the Apostolic Penitentiary .
I extend cordial greetings to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Major Penitentiary, to the Regent, Msgr. Nykiel, and to all the members of the Penitentiary, to the ordinary and extraordinary Penitentiaries of the Papal Basilicas, and to all of you, participants in this Course. It was strongly desired by Saint John Paul II, who supported it with his pastoral passion, and was confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI with his theological wisdom, as well as by Pope Francis , who has always had great care for the merciful face of the Church.
I also urge you to continue in this service, deepening and expanding the educational offerings, so that the fourth Sacrament may be ever more deeply understood, adequately celebrated, and therefore serenely and effectively experienced by all of God's holy people.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation—we know—has undergone notable development throughout history, both in its theological understanding and in its celebratory form. The Church, mother and teacher, has progressively recognized its meaning and function, expanding the possibility of its celebration. Yet, the reiteration of the Sacrament does not always correspond, on the part of the baptized, with a willingness to resort to it: it is as if the infinite treasure of the Church's mercy remains "untapped," due to a widespread distraction among Christians who, not infrequently, remain in a state of sin for long periods, rather than approaching the confessional, with simplicity of faith and heart, to receive the gift of the Risen Lord.
It was the Fourth Lateran Council, in 1215, that established that every Christian is required to make sacramental confession at least once a year; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church , after the Second Vatican Council , confirmed this norm (cf. CCC , n. 1457 ), which is also the law of the Church: "Every member of the faithful, having reached the age of discretion, is obliged to confess faithfully his or her grave sins at least once a year" ( CIC 989 ).
St. Augustine states: "Whoever recognizes his own sins and condemns them is already in agreement with God. God condemns your sins; and if you also condemn them, you unite yourself with God" ( In Iohannis evangelium tractatus 12, 13: CCL 36, 128). Recognizing our sins, especially during this time of Lent, therefore means "agreeing" with God, uniting ourselves to Him.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is thus a "laboratory of unity": it re-establishes unity with God through the forgiveness of sins and the infusion of sanctifying grace. This generates the person's inner unity and unity with the Church; therefore, it also fosters peace and unity within the human family. One might ask: do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to undertake a serious examination of conscience and confess?
But—we ask ourselves again—can man, a small and simple creature, truly "break unity" with the Creator? Isn't this image partial and, ultimately, mortifying of the Revelation that Jesus gave us of God?
Upon closer inspection, sin does not break unity, understood as the creature's ontological dependence on the Creator: even the sinner remains totally dependent on God the Creator, and this dependence, when recognized, can open the way to conversion. Rather, sin breaks spiritual unity with God: it is a turning away from Him, and this dramatic possibility is as real as the gift of freedom that God Himself has given to human beings. Denying the possibility that sin truly breaks unity with God is, in reality, a disregard for the dignity of man, who is—and remains—free and therefore responsible for his own actions.
Dear young priests and ordinands, always be keenly aware of the lofty task that Christ himself, through the Church, entrusts to you: to rebuild the unity of people with God through the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The entire life of a priest can be fully realized by celebrating this Sacrament assiduously and faithfully. And indeed, how many priests have become saints in the confessional! Let us think only of St. John Vianney , St. Leopold Mandić , and, more recently, St. Pio of Pietrelcina and Blessed Michał Sopoćko .
The unity re-established with God is also unity with the Church, which is the mystical body of Christ: we are members of the "whole Christ." The theme of your course this year , "The Church Called to Be a House of Mercy," would be incomprehensible if it did not begin from its root, which is the risen Jesus Christ. The Church welcomes people as a "house of Mercy," because first and foremost, she continually welcomes her Lord, in the Word heard and proclaimed, and in the grace of the Sacraments.
For this reason, in the celebration of sacramental Confession, as penitents are reconciled with God and the Church, the Church herself is built up, enriched by the renewed holiness of her repentant and forgiven children. In the confessional, dear brothers and sisters, we collaborate in the ongoing building of the Church: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic; and in doing so, we also give new energy to society and the world.
Unity with God and with the Church, finally, is the prerequisite for the inner unity of people, so necessary today in this time of fragmentation we live in. This inner unity is found as a real desire, especially in the new generations. The unfulfilled promises of unbridled consumerism and the frustrating experience of freedom separated from truth can, by divine mercy, be transformed into opportunities for evangelization: by bringing out the sense of incompleteness, they awaken those existential questions to which only Christ fully answers. God became man to save us, and he does so also by educating our religious sense, our irrepressible quest for truth and love, so that we can welcome the Mystery in which "we live and move and have our being" ( Acts 17:28).
This dynamic of unity with God, with the Church, and within ourselves is a prerequisite for peace among men and peoples: only a reconciled person is capable of living disarmingly and disarmingly! Those who lay aside the weapons of pride and allow themselves to be continually renewed by God's forgiveness become agents of reconciliation in everyday life. In them, the words attributed to St. Francis of Assisi come true: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."
Dearest ones, never fail to approach the Sacrament of Forgiveness with faithful constancy, so that you may always be the first beneficiaries of the Divine Mercy, of which you have become—or will become—ministers. May Mary, Mother of Mercy, always accompany your journey and enlighten your steps. Upon you and your daily commitment, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you.
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