SW News: Pope Francis in his 2020 Lenten message urged Catholics to open their hearts to the voice of God and to be reconciled with Him. In the message he spoke of the love of God manifested through His unending mercy.

"Lent is a season of rebirth in Christ’s Mercy flowing through the sacrament of confession."

'This mercy can be experienced through prayer; the personal and face to face relationship with the Crucified and risen Lord," he said.

The Pope spoke on the need for contemplation of the ever present paschal mystery of Christ.

“Compassion for the Crucified Christ should be reflected in helping the victims of war, human trafficking and in defending the dignity of life in all forms,” the Holy Father said.

“Lent should transform our selfishness to selflessness by overcoming our thirst for profit, which is a form of idolatry. It must become the season of gratitude and a time to overcome sloth,” he added.