What does a Jubilee mean? Why does the Church still call for such moments today? Why did Pope Francis want a "Jubilee of Mercy"?
Beyond the historical and theological reasons, I believe the deepest answer lies in this: we must never forget that the heart of the Gospel is mercy. It is essential that we discover ourselves loved as we are, forgiven for our fragility and our failures.
What we experienced in Rome last June was exactly this—an opportunity that Pope Francis created so that the message and experience of mercy would reach everyone. A message conveyed through concrete signs and gestures that touched all of us, and that we carry in our hearts.
We walked toward the Basilica of Saint Peter with the cross in hand, guiding our steps. We passed through the Holy Door, as did countless other pilgrims, to feel welcomed and awaited by the Father through the journey we had made.
We prayed and sang together, with the chance to receive the Lord's forgiveness through confession—a truly special moment to experience being accepted with our sin and to encounter God's mercy.
We shared the joy of celebration with many friends through dance, song, magic, and testimony—all of it beautiful, because mercy is also this: the chance to share joy and multiply it.
We experienced Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis with thousands of pilgrims. What moved us most was watching the Gospel enacted through mime, as we do always at Faith and Light, now offered to everyone gathered in Saint Peter's Square that day and, through television, to pilgrims around the world.
After Mass, Pope Francis greeted those present who could approach him. Again, the gestures were simple: Angelo's beautiful embrace, Antonino placing our yellow scarf around the Pope's neck, the words and glances exchanged—these spoke more than a thousand words. They were the truest, most beautiful sign of mercy.
Does it all end here, with our memories and photographs, however lovely? I don't think so. Mercy is a gift to cherish and live each day. Mercy is a way of life to learn. Mercy is the calling that Faith and Light has in a special way to share with all.
The "mercy of daily life"—this is what remains from this Jubilee, and it is something that has always belonged to the very DNA of Faith and Light.
Don Marco Bove, National Ecclesiastical Assistant