In his Catechesis devoted to the eighth commandment, His Holiness Pope Francis told pilgrims in St Peter’s Square that Christians are called to be “truthful not only in our words but in our entire way of acting towards others.” Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Pontiff said that, “our ultimate model in this regard is Jesus himself. He is the truth in person who, at his trial before Pilate, revealed that he came into this world to testify to the truth.”
As reported by Vatican news, His Holiness Pope Francis remarked that “When a person is not communicating authentically, it is a serious matter because it inhibits relationships and therefore inhibits love. Where there is a lie, there is no love.” Gossiping, the Pontiff pointed out, kills. It kills, he explained, “because the tongue kills, like a knife.” Be careful, the Pope added, the gossip “is a terrorist because he or she throws a bomb and leaves.” “Christians are not exceptional men and women, said the Pope, “we are, however, children of our heavenly Father, who is good and does not disappoint us, and places in our hearts the love for our brothers and sisters.”
The Pontiff concluded his remarks by reminding that “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” means living as children of God, acting in accordance with his will and trusting in him.
