Pope, at audience, says God's mercy breaks cycle of sin, punishment

Published: 2004-05-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In God the human cycle of sin and punishment is replaced by a cycle of sin and forgiveness that gives a sense of peace and hope to believers, Pope John Paul II said. "God is not indifferent to the evil perpetrated by his creatures because he is the guardian of justice and truth," the pope said May 19 during his weekly general audience. Some 15,000 pilgrims from around the world gathered with the pope in St. Peter's Square to hear his reflections on Psalm 32 and to continue offering him best wishes for his 84th birthday, which was May 18. A small group of Polish war veterans who had fought at Monte Cassino, Italy, during World War II were present for the audience. The battle, in which 860 Polish soldiers died and some 2,800 Poles were injured, "opened the way for the Allies to reach Rome," the pope told the veterans.

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