“The Gospels provide numerous examples of Christ’s mission to forgive sins."

When a paralytic was lowered through the roof of a house and placed at his feet Christ first forgave the man’s sins and then cured his affliction (cf. Lk 5:17-26).

When a sinful woman knelt at his feet in the house of Simon the Pharisee, Jesus forgave her sins because she had ‘loved much,’ unlike the Pharisee, who had little insight into his own sinfulness (cf. Lk 7:36-50).

Christ’s parable of the prodigal son illustrates the sublime meaning of his earthly ministry, which is to forgive sins, reconcile people to God, and lead us to true happiness (cf. Lk 15:11-32).

Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead to reconcile sinful people with God through the forgiveness of sins and the gift of new life with the Triune God. Even on the Cross, he forgave those who were killing him and had mercy on the repentant thief.”  (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 235)

The Gospel presents us with the episode of the adulterous woman (cf. John 8:1-11), who Jesus saves from the death sentence, said Pope Francis in an Angelus address on forgiveness:

“Jesus’ attitude is striking. We do not hear words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, that invite us to conversion. Neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more! (8:11). Well, brothers and sisters, the face of God is that of a merciful father, who always has patience. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience that he has for each of us? That is his mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, he understands us, he waits for us, he does not weary of forgiving us if we know how to return to him with a contrite heart. Great is the mercy of the Lord, the Psalm says.”