"Speaking of conversion means going to the core of the Christian message as well as to the roots of human life". It was said yesterday morning by Benedict XVI, as he celebrated the Eucharist in the Piazza Inferiore of Saint Francis in Assisi, which he was visiting for the eight centenary of the conversion of the saint. In going over the first 25 years of Francis’ life, the Pope commented that "the sin lay in his conceiving and organising his life all around himself, pursuing vain dreams of earthly glory". When he was the "king of parties" amidst the young people of Assisi, he did not lack "a natural generosity of the soul", but this was "still very far from the Christian love that gives up itself unconditionally". At that time, "seeing the lepers felt sour to him": "Sin noticed the Pontiff prevented him from controlling his physical repugnance and recognising in them as many brothers to love. His conversion led him to practise mercy and gained him mercy at the same time". Thus "serving the lepers, going so far as to kiss them, was "a veritably religious experience, dictated by the initiative of grace and by the love of God". "Converting to love explained the Pope means moving from sourness to ‘sweetness’, from sadness to true joy. Man is truly himself and fully accomplishes himself insofar as he lives with God and of God, recognising and loving Him in his brothers". (continued)
