Christians are called to intercede, not to condemn, says Pope Francis

ROME - True believers do not condemn people for their sins or shortcomings, but intercede in their favor with God through prayer, said Pope Francis.

Just as Moses implored God's mercy for his people when they sinned, Christians too must act as intermediaries because even "the worst sinners, the wicked, the most corrupt leaders - are children of God," said the pope June 17 during his weekly general audience.

"Think of Moses, the intercessor," he said. “And when we want to condemn someone and get angry inside - getting angry is good; it may be salutary, but condemning is useless: we intercept for him or her; it will help us so much. "

The pope continued his series of speeches on prayer and reflected on Moses' prayer to God that he became angry against the people of Israel after they had made and worshiped a golden calf.

When God called him for the first time, Moses was "in human terms, a 'failure'" and often doubted himself and his calling, the pope said.

"This also happens to us: when we have doubts, how can we pray?" churches. “It is not easy for us to pray. And it is because of the weakness of (Moses), as well as his strength, that we were impressed. "

Despite his failures, the pope continued, Moses continues the mission entrusted to him without ever ceasing to "maintain close ties of solidarity with his people, especially in the hour of temptation and sin. He was always attached to his people. "

"Despite his privileged status, Moses never ceased to belong to that multitude of poor spirits who live in trust in God," said the pope. "He is a man of his people."

The pope said that Moses' attachment to his people is an example of the "greatness of the shepherds" who, far from being "authoritarian and despotic", never forget their flock and are merciful when they sin or give in to temptation.

When he implored God's mercy, he added, Moses "does not sell off his people to advance in his career", but instead intercedes for them and becomes a bridge between God and the people of Israel.

"What a fine example for all pastors who must be" bridges "," said the pope. “This is why they are called 'pontifex', bridges. Shepherds are the bridges between the people to whom they belong and God to whom they belong by vocation ".

"The world lives and thrives thanks to the blessing of the righteous, to the prayer of mercy, to this prayer of mercy that the saint, the righteous, the intercessor, the priest, the bishop, the pope, the layman - any baptized - incessantly relaunches humanity in every place and time in history, "said the pope.