Pope Francis seemed stronger as he spoke about “Catholic guilt” during Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Catholic guilt, or compunction, is the need to “feel overly guilty for any perceived offense,” per Crux.
Francis said people can have a more healthy outlook regarding Catholic guilt by not obsessing about it and not feeling worthy. Instead, there should be a “genuine acknowledgement of wrongdoing and sorrow for its repercussions,” per the outlet.
It seemed to be a different pope Thursday than what people witnessed at Palm Sunday Mass when he declined to deliver a homily at the last minute, as IJR reported on.
The pope has been plagued with respiratory issues.
Holy Thursday Mass is a time when sacred oils used in the church’s sacraments for the coming year are blessed.
Francis, 87, is also expected to go to a women’s prison Thursday to wash inmate’s feet, a ritual done on Holy Thursday, ABC News reported.
This week is expected to test the pope’s endurance as his schedule is packed with pre-Easter activities.
On Good Friday, he will go to the Colosseum for the Way of the Cross procession re-enacting Christ’s crucifixion, per ABC News.
Then, on Holy Saturday, he will preside over Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica. This will be followed by Easter Sunday Mass in the piazza.
