On Friday, March 9, 2018, a penitential liturgy took place, along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The event was part of an initiative called “24 Hours for the Lord.”

Pope Francis presided over the solemn liturgy which included more than sixty priests hearing confessions. The Vicar of Christ himself first knelt before one of the priests to receive reconciliation and then sat in a confessional to hear the confessions of twelve penitents.
This year, the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, now in its fifth year, was guided by the words of Psalm 130:4 ” “With you is forgiveness.”
Prior to the evening celebration in the Basilica, the Pope held a midday meeting in the Paul VI Hall with the members of the Apostolic Penitentiary and the participants in the course on the internal forum for confessors. This course is organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary every year.

Friar Lucjan M. BOGUCKI, Rector of the College of Vatican Penitentiaries
Photo: Friar Łukasz STANISZEWSKI, OFM Conv., Father Michał SIENNICKI, SAC