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Since Pope Francis was elected in 2013 he has made a huge impact on the Catholic Church and the world. He has impressed countless people with his charm and humility; to many Catholics he offers hope of reform of an ossifying organisation while to more traditional believers he threatens the status quo; certain Vatican officials fear he wants to shake things up. He will be in the spotlight again in the next few days when he discusses the family with a huge gathering of bishops in Rome. And vexing problems like divorce, contraception and homosexuality. Many Catholics are particularly hoping that Francis will do something to help Catholics who are divorced and remarried, for at the moment they are not allowed to go to Communion, because the Church teaches marriage is indissoluble. Yet Francis is a clearly loyal to Church teaching. So will he really make a difference? The answer lies in a small book that he was given by its author, the German Cardinal, Walter Kasper, at the time of the conclave that led to Francis’ own election. Kasper had articulated an idea derived from the Gospels but so often overlooked: that mercy is fundamental to God’s nature and that it is mercy that should shape our relationships. So, Kasper says, be merciful as God is merciful; imitate God’s mercy. And Pope Francis made it plain in his very first prayers in St Peter’s Square on the Sunday after his election how profound an effect this book had on him. That is why many divorced and remarried Catholics are hoping that with a focus on mercy, Francis will find a reason to allow them again to return to Communion. The traditionalists say this is not possible, for the indissoluble union of marriage must reflect the Church’s indissoluble union with Jesus Christ. But it seems to me marriage might be better said to reflect the Church’s relationship with Jesus Christ when it is messy and flawed; there have been many times when the Church seemed hard-hearted rather than merciful. Whatever happens in the next few weeks in Rome, Cardinal Kasper and Pope Francis have offered an inspiring interpretation of Christian teaching to the world, not just to the bishops gathering this weekend. Theirs is not a God of judgement who raps you over the knuckles but a God of tenderness who understands the flaws and vulnerabilities of people. It is not just about forgiveness offered by God; it is a mercy that people need to show to each other. And above all Pope Francis has said, people should not think God is tired of forgiveness; rather, it is that people tire of asking him for his mercy.