At his Wednesday general audience, Pope Francis continued his catechetical series on vice and virtue, explaining that Christianity does not condemn the sexual instinct but rather seeks to elevate it from the grasp of lust, a vice that “destroys relationships.”
Drawing from the Song of Songs, Pope Francis depicted love as a generous, selfless pursuit, far removed from the toxic grasp of possessive lust. “To love is to respect the other, to seek his or her happiness,” he said, urging the faithful to view love as an empathetic journey towards understanding another soul.
However, the Holy Father warned against the perils of pornography and unchecked desire, describing them as forces that undermine the sanctity of sexual pleasure, a gift from God. He stressed that love should be an offering, not a conquest, and that true affection thrives in patience and tender care, not in the feverish rush of lust.
“Lust preys, robs, consumes in haste,” he said, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a relationship that transforms sexuality into “a loving dance” rather than a chain that restricts human freedom.
In his call to action, Pope Francis praised the teachings of St. John Paul II on mature love and reminded the audience of the lifelong battle against the objectification of others.
“Building a story together is better than going on adventures; cultivating tenderness is better than bowing to the demon of possession. True love is serving, not conquering,” he said.
Pope Francis’s catechesis on the themes of love, lust, and the sanctity of human sexuality is speculated by many to be a nuanced response to recent controversies surrounding Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.
Fernández, a figure close to the pontiff, had previously authored works featuring explicit content, sparking discussion within some circles. Observers suggest that the Pope’s emphasis on the purity of love and the dangers of lust, especially in the context of pornography and possessiveness, might subtly address these concerns, reaffirming the Church’s stance on the sacredness of human intimacy and the moral responsibilities accompanying it.
As the world listens, Pope Francis’s words resonate as a profound reflection on the nature of love, lust, and the divine beauty of human connection.
Pray with Pope Francis!
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