Pope Benedict may hear confessions on Good Friday

Posted on 11 March 2008 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Pope to hear confessions of Roman youth?

Vatican, Mar. 10, 2008 (CWNews.com) – Pope Benedict XVI will hear the confessions of several young people in St. Peter’s basilica on Good Friday, according to the Italian ANSA news service.

The Vatican has not confirmed plans for the Pope to hear confessions himself. But the Holy Father is scheduled to lead a penitential service for the youth of Rome, and there will be opportunities for individual confession.

Pope John Paul II made it his regular practice to appear in the Vatican basilica on Good Friday, without prior notice, to hear the confessions of ordinary penitents.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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10 Responses to Pope Benedict may hear confessions on Good Friday

  1. RichR says:
    11 March 2008 at 11:17 am

    I always loved this priestly gesture of JPII.

    “What ever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

  2. Gregor says:
    11 March 2008 at 11:26 am

    Ahem – the penitential service with the Holy Father is scheduled for this Tursday, 13 March. See: http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/21806.php?index=21806&po_date=08.03.2008&lang=ge

  3. Joe of St. Thérèse says:
    11 March 2008 at 11:26 am

    That would be awesome to see.

  4. Tom Liang says:
    11 March 2008 at 12:13 pm

    Here’s what John Paul II said about confession in one of his general audiences.

    Penance in the Ecclesial Community — April 15, 1992
    http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud19920415en.html

  5. Dr. Joe Hoelscher says:
    11 March 2008 at 1:44 pm

    I am always amazed at announcements like this…. the Pope is first and foremost a priest so why shouldn’t he hear confessions like any other priest. It’s about time Benny earns his keep! (said in jest)

  6. Father Anonymous says:
    11 March 2008 at 1:48 pm

    This is a beautiful priestly gesture and it was wonderful when JP2 heard the confessions as well as B16. Not that it is related to the pope hearing confessions, per se, but I’ve always felt that there should be a canon law or two requiring Bishops to hear a certain amount of routine confessions, witnesses some marriages, and also administer the anointing of the sick.

    Sometimes I feel that bishops, especially those who have never had parochial experience or who are decades removed from it, are in “la la land” when it comes to the routine experiences of parish clergy. Wouldn’t it be a wake up call if they had to hear the confessions of kids at the Catholic High Schools and prepare the average (i.e. non practicing and living in sin) couple for Marriage.

  7. Jason says:
    11 March 2008 at 3:33 pm

    Does the Pope still hear confessions regularly? What about Bishops in general? Or is that done mainly by parish Priests?

  8. AMDG says:
    11 March 2008 at 3:53 pm

    ** without prior notice, to hear the confessions of ordinary penitents.* ..
    ~
    I’m hoping for a promotion up to extraordinary penitent…

    Thanks again for all you do Fr. Z

  9. Lauren says:
    11 March 2008 at 8:03 pm

    I’m sure he heard confessions last year. As for hearing confessions regularly, I don’t know. That’s a good question.

  10. techno_aesthete says:
    12 March 2008 at 3:04 pm

    Joe of St. Thérèse, that would be awesome to experience.