Last week ending, The pope responded to a letter written by Carlos Adrian Vazquez Jr., who, at age 16, received a prison sentence of 11 years for involuntary manslaughter due to his involvement in a Los Angeles gang.
Pope Francis wrote back to the juvenile gang member asking that the young man pray for him.
Vazquez told CNN in an interview that his crime and subsequent prison sentence caused him to contemplate suicide, and he reached out to the pope to ask for forgiveness.
The teen, who is now 18, added that he was surprised to receive a response from Francis. In the letter, the pontiff asked Vazquez to embrace God’s mercy, as well as offer his prayers for the religious leader.
“I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t think the pope would write to someone who’s behind bars,” the 18-year-old said.
“I pray that as you and your fellow residents celebrate the opening of the holy door, you may receive these gifts and be filled with peace and hope,” the pope wrote, referencing the Catholic Church’s Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy year and its symbolic “opening of the holy door” that invites all Christians to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy.
editor@ugchristiannews.com
