I am heartened that Pope Frances places primary value on mercy, in part because mercy contributes to the fullness of justice.
In his address from the balcony above St. Peter's Square on Sunday, March 17, 2013, Pope Francis told the crowd that he wanted to talk about mercy, saying he was inspired by a book about forgiveness that he was reading. Citing the author, an elderly German cardinal, and praising him as a "top-notch" theologian, Francis quipped: "Don't think I'm making publicity for my cardinals' books!" drawing a roar of laughter from the crowd.
Francis said mercy can "change the world" and make it "less cold and more just."