At the conclusion of the Mass celebrated in the Vatican Basilica for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who were gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the usual Sunday appointment on the occasion of the Jubilee of Families.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
These young people sing very well. Bravo!
In the joy of Christmas, we celebrate this Sunday the feast of the Holy Family. I remember the great meeting that was held in Philadelphia last September; and I think about the many families I met on my apostolic voyages; and those from all over the world. I want to greet all of them with affection and gratitude, especially in our current times, in which families are subjected to incomprehensible difficulties of various sorts that weaken them.
Today's gospel invites families to welcome the light of hope that comes from the home in Nazareth, in which Jesus joyfully spent his childhood. Saint Luke says that he grew in wisdom, age and grace in the eyes of the Lord and of mankind (Lk 2:52). The nuclear family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is for every believer, and especially for the family, an authentic school of the gospel. Here we admire the fulfillment of the divine plan to make the family a special community of life and love. Here, we learn that every Christian nuclear family is called to be a domestic church, in order to radiate evangelical virtue and to become a leaven for good in society. The typical traits of the Holy Family are: meditation and prayer; mutual understanding and respect; and a spirit of sacrifice, work and solidarity.
In the example and the witness of the Holy Family, every family can find precious guidance for its kind of life and lifestyle choices, and can draw strength and inspiration for its everyday journey. Our Lady and Saint Joseph teach us to welcome children as a gift from God, to bring them up and to educate them: cooperating in a wonderful way with the work of the Creator and in this way giving the world a new smile in the person of every child. In united families, children's existence can mature as they are exposed to meaningful and effective experiences of love, tenderness and mutual respect, mutual understanding, forgiveness and joy, all freely given.
Above all, I want to concentrate on joy. True joy that we experienced in a family is not something casual or a matter of luck. It is a fruitful joy found in the profound harmony existing between people which justifies the beauty of being together, of supporting one another along the journey of life. But the basis of joy is always the presence of God, his love that is welcoming, merciful and patient in every case and for every person. If we do not open the door of the family to the presence of God and to his love, the family loses the gift of harmony, a sense of individualism prevails and all joy is gone. On the other hand, the family that lives and experiences joy, the joy of life, the joy of faith will communicate it spontaneously, being salt for the earth and light for the world, leaven for the whole of society.
May Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless and protect all the families of the world so that in them, serenity and joy, justice and peace may reign: the gifts which the newborn Christ brought for all humanity.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
My thoughts at this moment are focused on the numerous Cuban migrants who find themselves in trouble in Central America, many of them are victims of human trafficking. I invite the countries of that region to generously renew all necessary efforts in order to find a timely solution to this humanitarian tragedy.
Today, I extend a warm greeting to all the families who are present in the Square, to all of you! Thank you for your witness. May the Lord accompany you with his grace and support you on your daily journey.
I greet you all, pilgrims who have come from every corner of the world, especially the young people from the Diocese of Bergamo who have recently been Confirmed. I also thank all the youth and the children who have sung so well; continue singing ... A Christmas song in honour of the family.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Thank you again for your greetings and for your prayers, and please continue to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
These young people sing very well. Bravo!
In the joy of Christmas, we celebrate this Sunday the feast of the Holy Family. I remember the great meeting that was held in Philadelphia last September; and I think about the many families I met on my apostolic voyages; and those from all over the world. I want to greet all of them with affection and gratitude, especially in our current times, in which families are subjected to incomprehensible difficulties of various sorts that weaken them.
Today's gospel invites families to welcome the light of hope that comes from the home in Nazareth, in which Jesus joyfully spent his childhood. Saint Luke says that he grew in wisdom, age and grace in the eyes of the Lord and of mankind (Lk 2:52). The nuclear family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is for every believer, and especially for the family, an authentic school of the gospel. Here we admire the fulfillment of the divine plan to make the family a special community of life and love. Here, we learn that every Christian nuclear family is called to be a domestic church, in order to radiate evangelical virtue and to become a leaven for good in society. The typical traits of the Holy Family are: meditation and prayer; mutual understanding and respect; and a spirit of sacrifice, work and solidarity.
In the example and the witness of the Holy Family, every family can find precious guidance for its kind of life and lifestyle choices, and can draw strength and inspiration for its everyday journey. Our Lady and Saint Joseph teach us to welcome children as a gift from God, to bring them up and to educate them: cooperating in a wonderful way with the work of the Creator and in this way giving the world a new smile in the person of every child. In united families, children's existence can mature as they are exposed to meaningful and effective experiences of love, tenderness and mutual respect, mutual understanding, forgiveness and joy, all freely given.
Above all, I want to concentrate on joy. True joy that we experienced in a family is not something casual or a matter of luck. It is a fruitful joy found in the profound harmony existing between people which justifies the beauty of being together, of supporting one another along the journey of life. But the basis of joy is always the presence of God, his love that is welcoming, merciful and patient in every case and for every person. If we do not open the door of the family to the presence of God and to his love, the family loses the gift of harmony, a sense of individualism prevails and all joy is gone. On the other hand, the family that lives and experiences joy, the joy of life, the joy of faith will communicate it spontaneously, being salt for the earth and light for the world, leaven for the whole of society.
May Jesus, Mary and Joseph bless and protect all the families of the world so that in them, serenity and joy, justice and peace may reign: the gifts which the newborn Christ brought for all humanity.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
My thoughts at this moment are focused on the numerous Cuban migrants who find themselves in trouble in Central America, many of them are victims of human trafficking. I invite the countries of that region to generously renew all necessary efforts in order to find a timely solution to this humanitarian tragedy.
Today, I extend a warm greeting to all the families who are present in the Square, to all of you! Thank you for your witness. May the Lord accompany you with his grace and support you on your daily journey.
I greet you all, pilgrims who have come from every corner of the world, especially the young people from the Diocese of Bergamo who have recently been Confirmed. I also thank all the youth and the children who have sung so well; continue singing ... A Christmas song in honour of the family.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Thank you again for your greetings and for your prayers, and please continue to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
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