The caritas of God the Father in the teaching of Paul VI and John Paul II: comparative-systematic study

Abstract

In this paper, Author presents the teaching of Paulo VI and John Paul II on divine caritas-agape, considering the explicit affirmation of two Pontiffs on God the Father. The thematic research includes encyclical letters, apostolic exhortations and messages. In a systematic way, Author examines the Popes’ affirmation on God as love and its most significant aspects: reading and semantic of Revelation, thinking on divine pathos, link between God’s mercy and human condition. The qualitative analysis of the texts permits Author to explain the contents in a dogmatic perspective, and to achieve a comparative approach of two Popes, whose teachings cover the period from 2 Vatican Council to the 2000 Year Jubilee Celebration. The Popes present God the Father as fount-like love of Creation and Covenant, in a permanent dialogue of salvation with humankind. Both Paulo VI and John Paul II teach in light of biblical Revelation, paying attention to John’s definition of God as merciful and giving love (cf. Jn 3,16; 1Jn 4,8). In such light, Paul VI and John Paul II offer some remarkable elements to theological understanding of the first Person of Holy Trinity, in the immanentia (ontological aspects) and oeconomia (soteriological aspects) as well.