(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday evening urged parents and families to stand up to “ideological colonizations that poison the soul.”
He was speaking to some 25,000 faithful from the dioceses of Rome for the opening of the Diocese’s annual Ecclesial Convention, dedicated this year to the theme of the family.
Present with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square for the occasion were many Catholic families as well as the Cardinal Vicar Agostino Vallini and a high percentage of the 350 parish priests of Rome.
During his address to those present, Pope Francis touched on many issues including the need for a “spiritual rebirth” for the city of Rome which is currently shaken by a corruption scandal involving municipal authorities.
But his focus was mostly on the family and on the Synod of Bishops on the Family to be held in the Vatican in October, and he appealed to the many parents present to safeguard their children from ideological attacks against the institution of the family and all that is sacred which – he said – “are so hurtful and destroy society, the Nation, families”.
“This is why – he continued – we are in need of a spiritual and moral rebirth”.
Pope Francis elaborated on the beauty and diversity of male and female characteristics and – he said “complementarity and reciprocity” within families are very important for the healthy growth of children who must not be afraid of differences and must witness the joy of conjugal love in order to grow and develop with confidence and security.
But he also turned his attention to couples who separate urging them never to forget their duties as parents.
“Do not speak ill of each other” he said: that’s how children learn how to be hypocritical and to take advantage of others.
The Pope also had words for the over 600 thousand grandparents who live in Rome and whom – he said – must be loved and respected.
And he appealed to families to consider the option of old-age homes for grandparents only as a last resort.
And noting that a fourth of the population in Rome is elderly, the Pope asked: “Are grandparents treated with respect? I am sure they are at the moment – he continued – because what with the current lack of employment, it is to them and to their pensions that one turns for help”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday evening urged parents and families to stand up to “ideological colonizations that poison the soul.” He was speaking to some 25,000 faithful from the dioceses of Rome for the opening of the Diocese’s annual Ecclesial Convention, dedicated this year to the theme of the family. Present with Pope Francis…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday evening urged parents and families to stand up to “ideological colonizations that poison the soul.” He was speaking to some 25,000 faithful from the dioceses of Rome for the opening of the Diocese’s annual Ecclesial Convention, dedicated this year to the theme of the family. Present with Pope Francis…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has invited everyone to pay attention to environmental issues.
Speaking after the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said his first encyclical will be published on Thursday, and he said: “This encyclical is aimed at everyone”
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
Calling on everyone to accompany this event with renewed attention to environmental degradation, and the need to act to salvage one’s territory, the Pope said of his encyclical: Let us pray that everyone can receive its message and grow in responsibility toward the common home that God has entrusted to us”.
The document entitled “Laudato Si’, On the Care of Our Common Home” will be launched at a Vatican news conference this week.
The Pope’s appeal followed a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day that speaks of the seed that sprouts and grows and of the mustard seed which is the smallest of all seeds but becomes the largest of plants.
Francis said that through these images Jesus speaks to us of strength of God’s life-giving Word, and of how Christ’s love transforms that what is small and modest into something that makes the whole world and all of history ferment.
And reminding those present to always carry a pocket-sized copy of the Gospel, and to read a passage every day, the Pope said in the Gospel is the strength that makes the Kingdom of God germinate and sprout within us.
Above all – he said – the two parables teach us something important: the Kingdom of God is a gift of the Lord, but it requires our collaboration.
He said that although our contribution may appear meagre before the complexity of problems in the world, thanks to God’s love each seed of goodness will sprout and grow, and this – Pope Francis said – gives life to hope; notwithstanding the injustice and pain we may come across, the seed of charity and peace will yield its fruits thanks to the mysterious love of God.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has invited everyone to pay attention to environmental issues. Speaking after the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said his first encyclical will be published on Thursday, and he said: “This encyclical is aimed at everyone” Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni: Calling on everyone to accompany this…
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