This morning's General Audience began at 10:00am in Saint Peter's Square, where the Holy Father met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful from Italy and from every corner of the world.
During his speech, the Pope concluded the cycle of teachings on the family, focusing his meditation on two upcoming international events: the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to the various groups of the faithful who were present. He then issued a call for prayer for his upcoming Apostolic visit to Cuba and the United States of America and on the occasion of the beatification of Pio Alberto del Corona.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
This is our last reflection on the theme of marriage and family. We are on the eve of some beautiful and challenging events, which are directly connected to this great theme: the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops here in Rome. Both have worldwide importance, which corresponds to the universal dimension of Christianity, but also to the universal scope of the fundamental and irreplaceable human community which is the family.
The current situation of civilization appears to be marked by the long-term effects of a society which is governed by an economic technocracy. The subordination of ethics in favour of the logic of profit has substantial resources and enormous support from the media. In this case, a new alliance including man and woman becomes not only necessary, but also strategic for the emancipation of people from the colonization of money. This alliance should be returned to directing politics, the economy and civil coexistence, for it determines the habitability of the earth, the transmission of the feeling of life, and the bonds of memory and hope.
From this alliance, the conjugal-familial community of man and woman is the generative grammar, the golden knot, we might say. Faith draws from the wisdom of God's creation: which has confided to the family not the care of intimacy as an end in and of itself, but the exciting possibility of making the world more domestic. It all begins with the family, as the foundation of this world culture that saves us: it saves us from so much, so many attacks, so much destruction, so much idolatry such as money and other ideologies that threaten the world so much. Family is the foundation of our defense!
In fact, it is from the biblical words of creation, that we have taken our basic inspiration, in our brief Wednesday meditation on the family. From these words we can and must once again draw with renewed inspiration. Our expectations are great, but they are also filled with enthusiasm. God's creation is not simply a philosophical premise: it is a universal horizon of life and of faith! There are not two different divine plans: one for creation and the other for salvation. It was for the sake of one plan for the salvation of all of creation - of every creature - that God became man: for us men and for our salvation, as the Creed dictates. It is the risen Jesus who is the first-born of all creation (Col 1:15).
The created world is confided to man and to woman: whatever happens between them leaves its imprint on everything. Their refusal of God's blessing inevitably results in a delirium of omnipotence that ruins everything. This is what we refer to as original sin, and we are all born with the inheritance of this illness.
Nevertheless, we are not cursed or left to our own devices. The old story of God's first love for man and woman has already written pages of fire in this regard! I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed (Gn 3:15a). These are God's words spoken to the deceitful serpent, the charmer. Through these words, God marks the woman with a protective barrier against evil - to which she could resort if she so chose - for all generations. This means that a woman carries a secret and a special blessing, in order to defend her children from the Evil One! Like the Woman in the Book of Revelations, who runs and hides her child from the dragon, and God protects it (cf Rev 12:6).
Think about the depth that opens here! There are many stereotypes some of which are offensive, about the woman who is a temptress who inspires evil. Instead, there is space for a theology of woman that is worthy of God's blessing for her and for our generation!
The merciful protection of God in the confrontations faced by men and women, in every case, never fail. Let us not forget this! The symbolic language of the bible tells us that before he removed them from the garden of Eden, God made for man and woman, garments of skin with which he clothed them (cf Gn 3:21). This gesture of tenderness signifies that even while suffering the consequences of our sins, God doesn't want us to remain naked and abandoned to the consequences of our sins. This divine tenderness, this care for us, we see especially in the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God who was born of a woman (Gal 4:4). In addition, Saint Paul tells us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Christ, who was born of a woman, is God's caress to soothe our wounds, our mistakes, our sins. But God loves us as we are and wants us to continue with this plan, and the woman is the strongest one who helps us to continue with this plan.
The promise that God makes to man and to woman, at the beginning of time, includes all human beings, even to the end of time. If we have enough faith, all families of the people of the earth will recognize themselves in this blessing In every way, anyone who allows him or herself to be moved by this vision, no matter what people, nation, or religion we belong to, is already on the way with us. They will be our brothers and sisters, even without us having to convert them. Let us walk together beneath this blessing and beneath God's guidance as he makes us all brothers and sisters in life, in a world that continues and that is born in the family, in the union of man and woman.
May God bless you, families from every corner of the earth! May God bless you all!
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages, and he offered greetings to each group of pilgrims. To English speaking visitors, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Malta, Croatia, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all!
Finally, the Holy Father issued the following call for prayer:
Next Saturday, I will begin my apostolic journey to Cuba and the United States of America, a mission which I am undertaking with great hope. The principal reason for this trip is the Eighth Meeting of Families which will take place in Philadelphia. I will also visit the main offices of the United Nations, marking the 70th anniversary of that institution. Even now, I affectionately greet the Cuban people and the people of the United States of America who, guided by their pastors, have been preparing spiritually for this encounter. I ask you all to accompany me with your prayer, invoking the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Holy Mary, the Patroness of Cuba who is revered there as the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, and the patronness of the United States of America recognized there as the Immaculate Conception.
Also, next Saturday, in San Miniato, Pio Alberto del Corona, who served as Bishop of that Diocese and who founded the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit, will be beatified. He was a zealous guide and a wise leader of the people who were confided to his care. May his example and intercession help the Church to journey in the spirit of the gospel, bearing fruit through her good works.
During his speech, the Pope concluded the cycle of teachings on the family, focusing his meditation on two upcoming international events: the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed greetings to the various groups of the faithful who were present. He then issued a call for prayer for his upcoming Apostolic visit to Cuba and the United States of America and on the occasion of the beatification of Pio Alberto del Corona.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.
Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
This is our last reflection on the theme of marriage and family. We are on the eve of some beautiful and challenging events, which are directly connected to this great theme: the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops here in Rome. Both have worldwide importance, which corresponds to the universal dimension of Christianity, but also to the universal scope of the fundamental and irreplaceable human community which is the family.
The current situation of civilization appears to be marked by the long-term effects of a society which is governed by an economic technocracy. The subordination of ethics in favour of the logic of profit has substantial resources and enormous support from the media. In this case, a new alliance including man and woman becomes not only necessary, but also strategic for the emancipation of people from the colonization of money. This alliance should be returned to directing politics, the economy and civil coexistence, for it determines the habitability of the earth, the transmission of the feeling of life, and the bonds of memory and hope.
From this alliance, the conjugal-familial community of man and woman is the generative grammar, the golden knot, we might say. Faith draws from the wisdom of God's creation: which has confided to the family not the care of intimacy as an end in and of itself, but the exciting possibility of making the world more domestic. It all begins with the family, as the foundation of this world culture that saves us: it saves us from so much, so many attacks, so much destruction, so much idolatry such as money and other ideologies that threaten the world so much. Family is the foundation of our defense!
In fact, it is from the biblical words of creation, that we have taken our basic inspiration, in our brief Wednesday meditation on the family. From these words we can and must once again draw with renewed inspiration. Our expectations are great, but they are also filled with enthusiasm. God's creation is not simply a philosophical premise: it is a universal horizon of life and of faith! There are not two different divine plans: one for creation and the other for salvation. It was for the sake of one plan for the salvation of all of creation - of every creature - that God became man: for us men and for our salvation, as the Creed dictates. It is the risen Jesus who is the first-born of all creation (Col 1:15).
The created world is confided to man and to woman: whatever happens between them leaves its imprint on everything. Their refusal of God's blessing inevitably results in a delirium of omnipotence that ruins everything. This is what we refer to as original sin, and we are all born with the inheritance of this illness.
Nevertheless, we are not cursed or left to our own devices. The old story of God's first love for man and woman has already written pages of fire in this regard! I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed (Gn 3:15a). These are God's words spoken to the deceitful serpent, the charmer. Through these words, God marks the woman with a protective barrier against evil - to which she could resort if she so chose - for all generations. This means that a woman carries a secret and a special blessing, in order to defend her children from the Evil One! Like the Woman in the Book of Revelations, who runs and hides her child from the dragon, and God protects it (cf Rev 12:6).
Think about the depth that opens here! There are many stereotypes some of which are offensive, about the woman who is a temptress who inspires evil. Instead, there is space for a theology of woman that is worthy of God's blessing for her and for our generation!
The merciful protection of God in the confrontations faced by men and women, in every case, never fail. Let us not forget this! The symbolic language of the bible tells us that before he removed them from the garden of Eden, God made for man and woman, garments of skin with which he clothed them (cf Gn 3:21). This gesture of tenderness signifies that even while suffering the consequences of our sins, God doesn't want us to remain naked and abandoned to the consequences of our sins. This divine tenderness, this care for us, we see especially in the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God who was born of a woman (Gal 4:4). In addition, Saint Paul tells us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Christ, who was born of a woman, is God's caress to soothe our wounds, our mistakes, our sins. But God loves us as we are and wants us to continue with this plan, and the woman is the strongest one who helps us to continue with this plan.
The promise that God makes to man and to woman, at the beginning of time, includes all human beings, even to the end of time. If we have enough faith, all families of the people of the earth will recognize themselves in this blessing In every way, anyone who allows him or herself to be moved by this vision, no matter what people, nation, or religion we belong to, is already on the way with us. They will be our brothers and sisters, even without us having to convert them. Let us walk together beneath this blessing and beneath God's guidance as he makes us all brothers and sisters in life, in a world that continues and that is born in the family, in the union of man and woman.
May God bless you, families from every corner of the earth! May God bless you all!
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages, and he offered greetings to each group of pilgrims. To English speaking visitors, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including those from Great Britain, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Malta, Croatia, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all!
Finally, the Holy Father issued the following call for prayer:
Next Saturday, I will begin my apostolic journey to Cuba and the United States of America, a mission which I am undertaking with great hope. The principal reason for this trip is the Eighth Meeting of Families which will take place in Philadelphia. I will also visit the main offices of the United Nations, marking the 70th anniversary of that institution. Even now, I affectionately greet the Cuban people and the people of the United States of America who, guided by their pastors, have been preparing spiritually for this encounter. I ask you all to accompany me with your prayer, invoking the light and the strength of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Holy Mary, the Patroness of Cuba who is revered there as the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, and the patronness of the United States of America recognized there as the Immaculate Conception.
Also, next Saturday, in San Miniato, Pio Alberto del Corona, who served as Bishop of that Diocese and who founded the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit, will be beatified. He was a zealous guide and a wise leader of the people who were confided to his care. May his example and intercession help the Church to journey in the spirit of the gospel, bearing fruit through her good works.
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