Mercy recognises that life is short and there is no time to waste in making amends, Pope Francis said while leading thousands of priests at a retreat in Rome last week. “That is why it is so important to forgive completely,” he said, and let go of paralysing self-pity so that mercy can “get its hands dirty” and make reparation for wrongs committed. Mercy did not overlook the harm caused by sin, “rather it takes away evil’s power over the future. It takes away its power over life.” The retreat was intended to help priests and seminarians better understand the proper role mercy must play in their lives and ministry. The aim, the Pope said, was for priests to be ready to receive mercy in order to show it even more. Over the course of the day the Pope led three separate meditations – each nearly an hour long – in three of Rome’s four basilicas: St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls. Live video links let clergy follow the readings and reflections from different locations. Describing how the Ignatian spiritual exercises would work, the Jesuit Pope apologised for “the family endorsement”. He said that guiding personal prayer with Ignatian spirituality allowed people “to feel and savour the things of God” deep within themselves. Action and conversion were spurred, he said, by first feeling and being moved by what God was saying or showing. Pope Francis said because God’s love and mercy were limitless, priests must ask what barren and parched places are most in need. “What are the wounds that need this precious balm?” he asked. “What is the sense of abandonment that cries out for loving attention?”