Pope Francis: “God Always Leaves the Door Open for Us”

Pope Francis reflects on the parable of the prodigal son in his Jubilee 2025 catechesis on “Jesus Christ, Our Hope.”

Addressing the faithful during the Wednesday (April 16) General Audience at the Vatican, the Holy Father emphasized the profound message of mercy and hope contained in the parable, underlining that “God always leaves the door open” for His children, no matter how far they may have strayed. 

“The Gospel is intended to give us a message of hope,” he said. “Because it tells us that wherever we are lost, and however we are lost, God always comes looking for us.”

Pope Francis noted that Jesus told this parable in response to the complaints of the scribes and Pharisees who criticized Him for associating with sinners. Through the image of a father who welcomes both his wayward younger son and his resentful elder son, the parable reveals what the pope called “the heart of the Gospel of Jesus—God’s mercy.” 

He pointed out that people become lost in many ways—like a sheep that wanders off, a coin that is misplaced, or a son who chooses to leave out of selfishness or stays out of obligation yet harbors resentment. Even those who appear faithful may be distant from God if their hearts are filled with pride or anger.

Reflecting on the younger son, Pope Francis said he represents those who think only of themselves, as happens not only in adolescence but also in many adults today who struggle to maintain relationships because of selfishness. 

“They lose themselves thinking they are finding freedom,” he said. “He hungers for affection, but instead of cherishing love, he squanders it.” 

The pope warned that in moments of need or loneliness, people risk seeking affection in the wrong places, settling for relationships that resemble servitude rather than love.

Recalling Rembrandt’s renowned painting The Return of the Prodigal Son, the Holy Father described how the artist captured the essence of forgiveness in the father’s embrace: the son’s head is shaven like a penitent, resembling a child being born again, while the father’s hands—one masculine and one feminine—symbolize both strength and tenderness. 

Yet, Pope Francis stressed that the parable is ultimately directed at the elder son, who remained at home but was emotionally distant.

“He may have stayed physically close, but his heart was far,” the pope said, noting how those who adapt out of obligation may develop hidden resentment. When that anger eventually surfaces, it can isolate a person from the joy of love and communion.

Still, the father in the parable does not scold or reject him. He simply invites him to share in the celebration, to rejoice in the return of his brother, and above all, to feel loved. 

“That door remains open for us too,” the Pope said. “We can hope because we know that the Father is waiting for us, sees us from afar, and always leaves the door open.”

Concluding his catechesis, Pope Francis urged the faithful to reflect on where they are in this powerful story. “Dear brothers and sisters,” he said, “let us ask ourselves where we are in this story. And let us ask God the Father for the grace that we too can find our way back home.” 

As the Church continues its journey toward the Jubilee Year 2025, the pope’s catecheses seek to guide believers back to the core message of the Christian faith: that in Jesus Christ, there is always hope, mercy, and a way home.