Pope Francis emphasizes love as the core of faith

During his Angelus address, Pope Francis reflected on the biblical commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. He noted that while a lawyer once questioned Jesus to test him, the true essence of the commandment is not a mere formality or a forced obligation, but a personal response to God's preceding love.

The Pope emphasized that authentic love requires the whole person—heart, soul, and mind. He highlighted that a deep relationship with God enables individuals to view themselves and others through a Christ-like perspective, helping to overcome selfishness. Quoting Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, he noted that love is what moves the Church, and without it, faith loses its substance and good works are reduced to mere moralizing.