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LeadershipPope Francis

‘It’s Not a Good Translation.’ Why Pope Francis Wants to Tweak the Lord’s Prayer

By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
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By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
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December 8, 2017, 6:08 AM ET

Pope Francis, named as one of Fortune’s Greatest Leaders in March, is calling for the translation of a phrase in the Lord’s Prayer to be changed.

In a television interview on Wednesday night, the Pope said that the existing translation, “lead us not into temptation,” suggests that it is God who induces temptation. He said that this “is not a good translation,” and believes the wording should be changed to show that “it was not God who led humans to sin,” reports The Guardian.

Read: Pope Francis Says Tech Companies Should Protect Children From Sexual Exploitation, Cyber Bullying

He continued, “I am the one who falls; it’s not him pushing me into temptation to then see how I have fallen. A father doesn’t do that, a father helps you to get up immediately. It’s Satan who leads us into temptation, that’s his department.”

Read: Pope Francis Criticized the U.S. for Pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord

In the interview, Pope Francis also noted that the Catholic church in France has already amended the translation of the prayer, using the phrase “do not let us fall into temptation” instead. He suggested that the translation be updated to use that or similar phrasing.

Watch: Pope Francis Address Global Business Leaders

The prayer, also known as “Our Father,” is memorized by millions of Catholics around the world.

About the Author
By Natasha Bach
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