Etymologically, “mercy” derives from “misericordis,” which means opening one’s heart to wretchedness

Etymologically, “mercy” derives from “misericordis,” which means opening one’s heart to wretchedness. And immediately we go to the Lord: mercy is the divine attitude which embraces, it is God’s giving himself to us, accepting us, and bowing to forgive. And it is the model of love he has given to us.

Pope Francis, ‘The Name of God is Mercy’