At 11:50 this morning, in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father, Pope Francis met the employees of the Holy See and the Vatican City State, along with the members of their families, to present his Christmas greetings.
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
The approaching Christmas time offers us a beautiful occasion to meet and to exchange greetings.
First of all, I want to thank you for your work, for the commitment that you devote to doing things well, always, even when no one notices: many times one does something well and is not recognized for doing it ... I especially want to thank those of you who for many years have been doing the same kind of work, a work that is especially hidden, and who seek to do things the right way. We know that this is normal, and that we are only doing what we ought to do; but we also know that for us human beings, this is not easy, we are not machines - thank God! - and sometimes we need some incentive, or a little change ... I congratulate you, because you take pride in making normal everyday things special. Thank you! Let us continue, in various fields of work, working together, with patience, seeking to help and to be close to others.
While I thank you, I also want to ask your forgiveness for the scandals that have affected the Vatican. My wish is that you and I might have the attitude, especially in these days, of prayer, prayer for people involved in these scandals, that those who have done wrong will repent and get back on track.
There is one more thing that I want to tell you, perhaps the most important thing: I encourage you to take care of your marriages and of your children. Take care not to neglect them: play with your children, with your sons and daughters. Marriage is like a plant. It is not like a closet that you put there in a room and ignore except to dust it. A plant is living, it needs daily care: you need to check on it, you need to water it and so on. Marriage is a living reality: the life of a couple should never be taken for granted, at any stage of a family's journey. Let us remember that the most precious gift for our children is not a thing, but the love of parents ... and I mean not only the love that parents have for their children, but also the love that parents have for each other, in their marital relationship. This is so good for you and for your children! Do not neglect your family!
So, first of all, cultivate the plant of marriage, the fact that you are married, and at the same time, care for the relationships with your children, even here, focusing more on human relationships than on things. Speak with your children, listen to them, ask them what they think. This dialogue between parents and children is so good! It makes children grow in maturity. We rely on mercy, in day to day relationships, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between brothers and sisters; and let us take care of our grandmothers: grandmothers are very important for families. Grandmothers keep our memories, they have wisdom. Don't push your grandmothers aside. They are very important. A young woman once said to me, a woman who had a child that was seven years old, and her ninety-year old grandmother also lived with them: things were not going well and she had been advised to move her grandmother into an old age home. This wise woman, who had never studied at university, replied to those who had suggested that she put her grandmother in a nursing home: No, I want my children to grow up with my grandmother! She knew how good it is for grandmothers to be close to their grandchildren. Keep peace in the family: there are always fights in families, we all know it. When there are no fights in a marriage, it seems abnormal. The important thing is that a day should never end without making peace. Are there brothers or sisters who fight with each other? Always! But be sure to make peace. And parents, when your children have fought, before they go to bed, tell them: Make peace, shake hands, hug one another. We must learn the wisdom of making peace. Did you fight during the day? Is the war still going on? Don't let the war get cold because a 'cold war' from yesterday is more dangerous than an 'active war'. Do you understand? Make peace at the end of the day, always!
The Jubilee can also be lived in the domestic church, not only through great events! Indeed, God loves those who practice mercy in ordinary circumstances. This is my wish for you: to experience the joy of mercy, beginning within your families.
Thank you for your work, forgive the scandals and lets go on. Let's continue in this community and share my greetings and my wishes with those you love, with the elderly and the sick ... and continue, please, to pray for me. Thank you again and Merry Christmas!
Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the meeting with Vatican employees
Dear brothers and sisters, welcome!
The approaching Christmas time offers us a beautiful occasion to meet and to exchange greetings.
First of all, I want to thank you for your work, for the commitment that you devote to doing things well, always, even when no one notices: many times one does something well and is not recognized for doing it ... I especially want to thank those of you who for many years have been doing the same kind of work, a work that is especially hidden, and who seek to do things the right way. We know that this is normal, and that we are only doing what we ought to do; but we also know that for us human beings, this is not easy, we are not machines - thank God! - and sometimes we need some incentive, or a little change ... I congratulate you, because you take pride in making normal everyday things special. Thank you! Let us continue, in various fields of work, working together, with patience, seeking to help and to be close to others.
While I thank you, I also want to ask your forgiveness for the scandals that have affected the Vatican. My wish is that you and I might have the attitude, especially in these days, of prayer, prayer for people involved in these scandals, that those who have done wrong will repent and get back on track.
There is one more thing that I want to tell you, perhaps the most important thing: I encourage you to take care of your marriages and of your children. Take care not to neglect them: play with your children, with your sons and daughters. Marriage is like a plant. It is not like a closet that you put there in a room and ignore except to dust it. A plant is living, it needs daily care: you need to check on it, you need to water it and so on. Marriage is a living reality: the life of a couple should never be taken for granted, at any stage of a family's journey. Let us remember that the most precious gift for our children is not a thing, but the love of parents ... and I mean not only the love that parents have for their children, but also the love that parents have for each other, in their marital relationship. This is so good for you and for your children! Do not neglect your family!
So, first of all, cultivate the plant of marriage, the fact that you are married, and at the same time, care for the relationships with your children, even here, focusing more on human relationships than on things. Speak with your children, listen to them, ask them what they think. This dialogue between parents and children is so good! It makes children grow in maturity. We rely on mercy, in day to day relationships, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between brothers and sisters; and let us take care of our grandmothers: grandmothers are very important for families. Grandmothers keep our memories, they have wisdom. Don't push your grandmothers aside. They are very important. A young woman once said to me, a woman who had a child that was seven years old, and her ninety-year old grandmother also lived with them: things were not going well and she had been advised to move her grandmother into an old age home. This wise woman, who had never studied at university, replied to those who had suggested that she put her grandmother in a nursing home: No, I want my children to grow up with my grandmother! She knew how good it is for grandmothers to be close to their grandchildren. Keep peace in the family: there are always fights in families, we all know it. When there are no fights in a marriage, it seems abnormal. The important thing is that a day should never end without making peace. Are there brothers or sisters who fight with each other? Always! But be sure to make peace. And parents, when your children have fought, before they go to bed, tell them: Make peace, shake hands, hug one another. We must learn the wisdom of making peace. Did you fight during the day? Is the war still going on? Don't let the war get cold because a 'cold war' from yesterday is more dangerous than an 'active war'. Do you understand? Make peace at the end of the day, always!
The Jubilee can also be lived in the domestic church, not only through great events! Indeed, God loves those who practice mercy in ordinary circumstances. This is my wish for you: to experience the joy of mercy, beginning within your families.
Thank you for your work, forgive the scandals and lets go on. Let's continue in this community and share my greetings and my wishes with those you love, with the elderly and the sick ... and continue, please, to pray for me. Thank you again and Merry Christmas!
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