Pope Francis writes moving letters to prisoners

'Always be certain that God loves you personally.'

Inmates at Italian prison Velletri wrote Pope Francis letters earlier this year - and received personal replies.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Vatican Radio, the prisoners gave their letters to Bishop Marcello Semeraro, the Bishop of Albano, during a pastoral visit to Velletri.

True to his word, Bishop Semeraro delivered the letters and the Holy Father responded to each one.

Pope Francis told each inmate that they, and others in similar circumstances, are often in his thoughts. He also thanked them for thinking of him.

The pontiff also expressed his sympathy for prisoners who "are living an experience in which time seems both to be stopped, and to never end."

He believes "the true measure of time is not that of the clock," but "the true measure of time is called hope."

In his letters, Pope Francis told the men they should "always keep lit the light of the hope of faith to illuminate" their lives.

"Always be certain that God loves you personally," the pontiff added, then encouraged them to view the past as the past, and the present as a "journey of growth, of faith and charity."

The inmates were uplifted with the Pope's message to "give God the possibility" of allowing them "to shine" through their circumstances.

Pope Francis reminded them that several saints "have achieved sanctity" despite their often dangerous and deadly situations.

"With Christ," he added, "all this is possible."

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This article originally appeared in California Catholic Daily and is reprinted with permission.