On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer unpacks Pope Leo’s recent audience on forgiveness and shows how the Pope’s teaching speaks directly to husbands and wives. You can listen to the entire episode here.

Pope Leo recalled one of the most striking moments in the Gospels: during the Last Supper, Jesus extended a morsel of food to Judas. The Pope called this act “love’s last attempt not to give up… to love until the end.” 

Pope Leo went further, teaching that “true forgiveness does not await repentance, but offers itself first as a free gift, even before it is accepted.” Doug applies this to marriage, pointing out how easy it is for spouses to withhold forgiveness until the other apologizes. Many think, “I’ll forgive when they say they’re sorry,” but as Doug emphasized, Pope Leo calls us to forgive even when the wrong is not acknowledged, because forgiveness frees the one who gives it.

The Pope also taught that “to forgive does not mean to deny evil, but to prevent it from generating further evil.” Doug explains that this is exactly what happens in marriages when resentment takes over. If a spouse has hurt us, whether through infidelity, neglect, or indifference, refusing to forgive allows anger and bitterness to dictate the future. 

At one point Pope Leo reflected on Judas’ betrayal: “After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him… and yet God does everything, absolutely everything, to reach us, even in the hour when we reject Him.” Doug notes how this truth applies to marriage: even when our spouse seems unreachable, God’s grace can still shine through a humble gesture of love and forgiveness.

The Pope added: “How many relationships are broken, how many stories become complicated, how many unspoken words remain suspended! And yet the Gospel shows us that there is always a way to continue to love, even when everything seems irredeemably compromised.” Doug encourages you to let these words sink in, especially if you feel stuck in a painful, loveless marriage. 

Finally, Pope Leo taught that forgiveness is not weakness, nor is it ignoring pain. It is, he said, “the ability to set the other free while loving him to the end… It is not forgetfulness; it is not weakness. It does not allow evil to have the last word.” Doug drives home the point that in every marriage, choosing forgiveness prevents evil from multiplying and opens the door to peace.

As Pope Leo put it, even the darkest betrayals can become “an opportunity for salvation.”

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

On Marriage Unhindered, Doug Hinderer unpacks Pope Leo&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-08/pope-leo-xiv-general-audience-20-august-2025.html">recent audience on forgiveness</a> and shows how the Pope&rsquo;s teaching speaks directly to husbands and wives. You can listen to the entire episode <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/08/radical-forgiveness/">here</a>.
Pope Leo recalled one of the most striking moments in the Gospels: during the Last Supper, Jesus extended a morsel of food to Judas. The Pope called this act &ldquo;love&rsquo;s last attempt not to give up&hellip; to love until the end.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Pope Leo went further, teaching that &ldquo;true forgiveness does not await repentance, but offers itself first as a free gift, even before it is accepted.&rdquo; Doug applies this to marriage, pointing out how easy it is for spouses to withhold forgiveness until the other apologizes. Many think, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll forgive when they say they&rsquo;re sorry,&rdquo; but as Doug emphasized, Pope Leo calls us to forgive even when the wrong is not acknowledged, because forgiveness frees the one who gives it.
The Pope also taught that &ldquo;to forgive does not mean to deny evil, but to prevent it from generating further evil.&rdquo; Doug explains that this is exactly what happens in marriages when resentment takes over. If a spouse has hurt us, whether through infidelity, neglect, or indifference, refusing to forgive allows anger and bitterness to dictate the future.&nbsp;
At one point Pope Leo reflected on Judas&rsquo; betrayal: &ldquo;After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him&hellip; and yet God does everything, absolutely everything, to reach us, even in the hour when we reject Him.&rdquo; Doug notes how this truth applies to marriage: even when our spouse seems unreachable, God&rsquo;s grace can still shine through a humble gesture of love and forgiveness.
The Pope added: &ldquo;How many relationships are broken, how many stories become complicated, how many unspoken words remain suspended! And yet the Gospel shows us that there is always a way to continue to love, even when everything seems irredeemably compromised.&rdquo; Doug encourages you to let these words sink in, especially if you feel stuck in a painful, loveless marriage.&nbsp;
Finally, Pope Leo taught that forgiveness is not weakness, nor is it ignoring pain. It is, he said, &ldquo;the ability to set the other free while loving him to the end&hellip; It is not forgetfulness; it is not weakness. It does not allow evil to have the last word.&rdquo; Doug drives home the point that in every marriage, choosing forgiveness prevents evil from multiplying and opens the door to peace.
As Pope Leo put it, even the darkest betrayals can become &ldquo;an opportunity for salvation.&rdquo;
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The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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