At the Shrine of Divine Mercy

This morning, the Holy Father left the Archbishop's residence in Kraków and travelled to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki, located in the Southern area of Kraków.

The Pope visited the chapel in the Convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy.  He was welcomed by the Superior General and by the Superior of the Convent.  Outside the building there were about 300 people waiting, among which were 80 young women who are assisted by that religious Congregation.  The Holy Father entered the Convent and blessed a large framed image of Divine Mercy.  In the Chapel, where about 150 Sisters were waiting, Pope Francis paused in prayer before the tomb of Saint Faustina Kowalska.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Holy Father signed the guest book, leaving the following inscription, which he wrote in Spanish:

Misericordia quiero y no sacrificiosI desire mercy, and not sacrificesFrancisco30/7/2016

Leaving the Convent, the Pope then went to the Shrine of Divine Mercy.  From the terrace, he greeted young people who were gathered in the meadow of confessions - located between the original shrine and the most recent one which is dedicated to Saint John Paul II.  On the terrace, five small sick children offered gifts to the Holy Father. 

Then, passing through the Door of Divine Mercy on foot, the Holy Father, Pope Francis entered the Shrine where he heard the confessions of eight people: five young women, two young men and a priest, in Italian, Spanish and French.

Before leaving the Shrine, the Pope venerated the Blessed Sacrament, then travelled by car to the Shrine of Saint John Paul II for the Eucharistic celebration.

Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis

from the terrace outside the Shrine of Divine Mercy

Good morning to all of you!

Today, the Lord wants us to experience his great mercy even more profoundly.

Let us never distance ourselves from Jesus!  Even if we might think that we have sinned or that we have experienced great failures, this is what he prefers; this is how his great mercy is spread.  Let us take advantage of this day to receive all the mercy that Jesus wants to give us.

Let us pray together now to the Mother of Mercy.

Hail Mary ...
(Blessing)

And please, I ask you to pray for me.
(Original text in Spanish)