Pope Francis says "For spouses...be open to the gift of life, to children" - "the greatest blessing from God," and a "source of joy and hope for every home and for all of society."
POPE FRANCIS at the ANGELUS
in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square on Sunday, October 6, 2024
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
Today in the Gospel of the liturgy (see Mk 10:2-16) Jesus speaks to us about conjugal love. As on other occasions, some Pharisees ask him a provocative question on a controversial topic: the husband's repudiation of his wife. They want to drag him into a controversy, but he is not having it, instead he takes the opportunity to draw their attention to a more important issue: the value of love between a man and a woman.
At the time of Jesus, the condition of women in marriage was at a great disadvantage compared to that of men: the husband could chase away, repudiate his wife, even for trivial reasons, and this was justified with legalistic interpretations of the Scriptures. For this reason the Lord leads his interlocutors back to the demands of love. Remind them that woman and man were wanted by the Creator to be equal in dignity and complementary in diversity, to be for each other a help, a companion, but at the same time a stimulus and a challenge to grow (see Gen 2:20-23).
And for this to happen, he emphasizes the need for their mutual gift to be full, involving, without “half measures” – this is love –, that it be the beginning of a new life (see Mk 10:7; Gen 2:24), destined to last not “as long as I want”, but forever, welcoming each other and living together as “one flesh” (see Mk 10:8; Gen 2:24). Of course, this is not easy, it requires fidelity, even in times of difficulty, it requires respect, sincerity, simplicity (see Mk 10:15). It requires being open to confrontation, sometimes to discussion, when necessary, but always ready for forgiveness and reconciliation. And remember: husband and wife, argue as much as you want, as long as you make peace before the day ends! Do you know why? Because the cold war of the next day is dangerous. “And tell me, Father, how do you make peace?” – “A caress is enough, like that”, but never end the day without making peace.
Let us not forget, then, that for spouses it is essential to be open to the gift of life, to the gift of children, who are the most beautiful fruit of love, the greatest blessing of God, a source of joy and hope for every home and all of society. Have children! Yesterday I had a great consolation. It was the day of the Gendarmerie, and a gendarme came with his eight children! It was beautiful to see him. Please, be open to life, what God sends.
Dear sisters, dear brothers, love is demanding, yes, but it is beautiful, and the more we let ourselves be involved in it, the more we discover, in it, true happiness. And now let each one ask himself in his heart: what is my love like? Is it faithful? Is it generous? Is it creative? What are our families like? Are they open to life, to the gift of children?
May the Virgin Mary help Christian spouses. We turn to her in spiritual union with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii for the traditional Supplication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
__________________
After the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow it will be a year since the terrorist attack against the population in Israel, to whom I renew my closeness. Let us not forget that there are still many hostages in Gaza, for whom I ask for their immediate release. Since that day, the Middle East has fallen into ever greater suffering, with destructive military actions that continue to affect the Palestinian population. This population is suffering greatly in Gaza and in the other territories. They are mostly innocent civilians, all people and who must receive all the necessary humanitarian aid. I ask for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon. Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for the inhabitants of the south, forced to leave their villages.
I appeal to the international community to put an end to the spiral of revenge and to never repeat attacks, like the one carried out by Iran a few days ago, which could plunge that Region into an even greater war. All Nations have the right to exist in peace and security, and their territories must not be attacked or invaded, sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed by dialogue and peace, not by hatred and war.
In this situation, prayer is more necessary than ever. This afternoon we will all go to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to invoke the intercession of the Mother of God; and tomorrow will be a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world. Let us unite with the power of Good against the diabolical plots of war.
I am close to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina affected by the floods. May the Lord welcome the deceased, comfort the relatives and support those communities.
I greet you, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and many countries. In particular, I greet the musical band of Cabañas (El Salvador) – we will hear them play later –, the Polish faithful devotees of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy in the diocese of Radom, and those who have come from Martinique. I greet the group of pilgrims from the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Revelation at Tre Fontane, who today will carry the statue of Our Lady from St. Peter’s to this Marian Sanctuary in Rome, praying for peace. I greet the former students of the Minor Seminary “Poggio Galeso” of Taranto; I greet the Associazione Teatro Patologico of Rome, the band of the “Sacra Famiglia” School of Cremona and the participants in the “Fiabaday” event, who work for the elimination of architectural barriers.
And now I am happy to announce that on December 8th I will hold a consistory for the appointment of new Cardinals. Their origin expresses the universality of the Church that continues to announce the merciful love of God to all men on earth. The insertion of the new Cardinals into the Diocese of Rome, moreover, manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world. Here are the names of the new Cardinals:
- His Excellency Monsignor Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio;
- His Excellency Monsignor Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, Archbishop of Lima, Peru;
- His Excellency Monsignor Vicente Bokalic Iglic, Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Primate of Argentina;
- His Excellency Monsignor Cabrera Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador;
- His Excellency Monsignor Natalio Chomalí Garib, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile;
- His Excellency Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Japan;
- His Excellency Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of Kalookan, Philippines;
- His Excellency Archbishop Ladislav Nemet of Beograd-Smederevo, Serbia;
- His Excellency Archbishop Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre;
- His Excellency Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan, Ivory Coast;
- His Excellency Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, Algeria;
- His Excellency Archbishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of Bogor, Indonesia;
- His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Mathieu of Teheran Ispahan, Iran;
- His Excellency Archbishop Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin;
- His Excellency Archbishop Baldassare Reina, from today Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome;
- His Excellency Archbishop Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, Canada;
- His Excellency Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major;
- His Excellency Archbishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians;
- Reverend Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, theologian;
- Reverend Father Fabio Baggio, Under Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development;
- Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad, Official of the Secretary of State, responsible for Papal Trips.
Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they may help me in the ministry of Bishop of Rome for the good of all the holy people of God.
And to all of you I wish a good Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and goodbye!
in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square on Sunday, October 6, 2024
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
Today in the Gospel of the liturgy (see Mk 10:2-16) Jesus speaks to us about conjugal love. As on other occasions, some Pharisees ask him a provocative question on a controversial topic: the husband's repudiation of his wife. They want to drag him into a controversy, but he is not having it, instead he takes the opportunity to draw their attention to a more important issue: the value of love between a man and a woman.
At the time of Jesus, the condition of women in marriage was at a great disadvantage compared to that of men: the husband could chase away, repudiate his wife, even for trivial reasons, and this was justified with legalistic interpretations of the Scriptures. For this reason the Lord leads his interlocutors back to the demands of love. Remind them that woman and man were wanted by the Creator to be equal in dignity and complementary in diversity, to be for each other a help, a companion, but at the same time a stimulus and a challenge to grow (see Gen 2:20-23).
And for this to happen, he emphasizes the need for their mutual gift to be full, involving, without “half measures” – this is love –, that it be the beginning of a new life (see Mk 10:7; Gen 2:24), destined to last not “as long as I want”, but forever, welcoming each other and living together as “one flesh” (see Mk 10:8; Gen 2:24). Of course, this is not easy, it requires fidelity, even in times of difficulty, it requires respect, sincerity, simplicity (see Mk 10:15). It requires being open to confrontation, sometimes to discussion, when necessary, but always ready for forgiveness and reconciliation. And remember: husband and wife, argue as much as you want, as long as you make peace before the day ends! Do you know why? Because the cold war of the next day is dangerous. “And tell me, Father, how do you make peace?” – “A caress is enough, like that”, but never end the day without making peace.
Let us not forget, then, that for spouses it is essential to be open to the gift of life, to the gift of children, who are the most beautiful fruit of love, the greatest blessing of God, a source of joy and hope for every home and all of society. Have children! Yesterday I had a great consolation. It was the day of the Gendarmerie, and a gendarme came with his eight children! It was beautiful to see him. Please, be open to life, what God sends.
Dear sisters, dear brothers, love is demanding, yes, but it is beautiful, and the more we let ourselves be involved in it, the more we discover, in it, true happiness. And now let each one ask himself in his heart: what is my love like? Is it faithful? Is it generous? Is it creative? What are our families like? Are they open to life, to the gift of children?
May the Virgin Mary help Christian spouses. We turn to her in spiritual union with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii for the traditional Supplication to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
__________________
After the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow it will be a year since the terrorist attack against the population in Israel, to whom I renew my closeness. Let us not forget that there are still many hostages in Gaza, for whom I ask for their immediate release. Since that day, the Middle East has fallen into ever greater suffering, with destructive military actions that continue to affect the Palestinian population. This population is suffering greatly in Gaza and in the other territories. They are mostly innocent civilians, all people and who must receive all the necessary humanitarian aid. I ask for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon. Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for the inhabitants of the south, forced to leave their villages.
I appeal to the international community to put an end to the spiral of revenge and to never repeat attacks, like the one carried out by Iran a few days ago, which could plunge that Region into an even greater war. All Nations have the right to exist in peace and security, and their territories must not be attacked or invaded, sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed by dialogue and peace, not by hatred and war.
In this situation, prayer is more necessary than ever. This afternoon we will all go to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to invoke the intercession of the Mother of God; and tomorrow will be a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world. Let us unite with the power of Good against the diabolical plots of war.
I am close to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina affected by the floods. May the Lord welcome the deceased, comfort the relatives and support those communities.
I greet you, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and many countries. In particular, I greet the musical band of Cabañas (El Salvador) – we will hear them play later –, the Polish faithful devotees of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy in the diocese of Radom, and those who have come from Martinique. I greet the group of pilgrims from the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Revelation at Tre Fontane, who today will carry the statue of Our Lady from St. Peter’s to this Marian Sanctuary in Rome, praying for peace. I greet the former students of the Minor Seminary “Poggio Galeso” of Taranto; I greet the Associazione Teatro Patologico of Rome, the band of the “Sacra Famiglia” School of Cremona and the participants in the “Fiabaday” event, who work for the elimination of architectural barriers.
And now I am happy to announce that on December 8th I will hold a consistory for the appointment of new Cardinals. Their origin expresses the universality of the Church that continues to announce the merciful love of God to all men on earth. The insertion of the new Cardinals into the Diocese of Rome, moreover, manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world. Here are the names of the new Cardinals:
- His Excellency Monsignor Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio;
- His Excellency Monsignor Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, Archbishop of Lima, Peru;
- His Excellency Monsignor Vicente Bokalic Iglic, Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, Primate of Argentina;
- His Excellency Monsignor Cabrera Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, Archbishop of Guayaquil, Ecuador;
- His Excellency Monsignor Natalio Chomalí Garib, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile;
- His Excellency Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Japan;
- His Excellency Archbishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of Kalookan, Philippines;
- His Excellency Archbishop Ladislav Nemet of Beograd-Smederevo, Serbia;
- His Excellency Archbishop Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre;
- His Excellency Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan, Ivory Coast;
- His Excellency Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, Algeria;
- His Excellency Archbishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of Bogor, Indonesia;
- His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Mathieu of Teheran Ispahan, Iran;
- His Excellency Archbishop Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin;
- His Excellency Archbishop Baldassare Reina, from today Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome;
- His Excellency Archbishop Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, Canada;
- His Excellency Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, Coadjutor Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major;
- His Excellency Archbishop Mykola Bychok, Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians;
- Reverend Father Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, theologian;
- Reverend Father Fabio Baggio, Under Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development;
- Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad, Official of the Secretary of State, responsible for Papal Trips.
Let us pray for the new Cardinals, so that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they may help me in the ministry of Bishop of Rome for the good of all the holy people of God.
And to all of you I wish a good Sunday. And please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and goodbye!
Source: Translation from Vatican.va
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