Apostolic PenitentiaryBishop Krzysztof Nykiel co -cookies, is the highest church tribunal in matters of conscience. It also makes sure that in four papal basilicas of the Eternal City there is a sufficient number of penitentiary (clergy authorized to give absolution in cases of committing the most serious sins).
Bishop Nykiel: The Pope was personally like a good father
– Pope Francis was personally like a good father with whom the cooperation was extremely good. He trusted me as an employee in the Vatican Tribunal of Mercy, as he defined the Apostolic Penitency – says the bishop.
He added that Franciszek He always had words of recognition and respect for their ministry.
– Confessors who serve in papal basiliks in Rome, the pope often reminded: “Be merciful, forgive. Always forgive. God is love and loves, he never gets tired of us. With his forgiveness you will always be able to start again” – recalls Bishop Nykiel.
The hierarch admits that he sometimes wondered how so much openness to the Holy Father with “human poverty, whether it is spiritual or material. I discovered that the Pope had exceptional piety, “Saint -Zeak” – he explains.
– In the audience, which was given to me in the New Year, the Holy Father confessed: “I like Saint Joseph. For 40 years I have been refusing this prayer, which I found in a French prayer book,” he said.
He added that he was grateful to him that the Pope personally wanted to write an introduction to his book dedicated to Saint. Józef.
The bishop also drew attention to Franciszek's great attachment to Mary and mentioned his repeated visits in the papal basilica of Our Lady, in which he will now rest.
Polish bishop about Francis: he said that I was his companion in a retreat
Bishop Nykiel He remembers all meetings with the Pope, especially during the Lenten retreats, during which he converted like any other Christian.
– during one of the audiences on the occasion for the confessors, Holy Father Francis He said nice words: “that I am his companion in retreats and I think I have to be a good confessor” – looking a paternal heart at human poverty. It stuck deeply in my heart to try to see the world in my merciful Lord's eyes, as he did himself Pope Francis. How not to be grateful for all this – added the bishop.
From the Vatican, Paulina Eliza Godlewska