Pope Francis stated that please, thanks, and regret are three of the most crucial words in marriage. He urged his followers to help reverse the trend towards declining birthrates and encourage them to reach out for assistance.
On Sunday, the pontiff (85) addressed married couples at the Catholic feast of Jesus’ Family.
This was halfway through the year-long family celebration announced by Francis, which will conclude with a huge family gathering in Rome in June.
Pope Francis said that “please, thanks, and sorry” are three of the most important words for marriage and urged them to get help in reverseing the decline in birthrates.
Francis spoke out from his studio window and said that he wanted his letter to serve as a Christmas present for married couples.
He advised them to have more children, to help fight the “demographic snow” that has caused one of world’s lowest birth rates in Italy.
“Maybe that we were not born to an outstanding, problem-free, happy family. However, our family is our story. Everybody has to consider: This is my story,” he stated. They are our roots. If they’re cut, it’s a dry life.
Francis wrote that quarantines and lockdowns had made it more difficult for families to be together.
He noted, however that this enforced closeness sometimes tested siblings and parents’ patience and can lead to serious difficulties in certain cases.
“Pre-existing issues were aggravated, creating conflict that sometimes became nearly unbearable.” Francis said that many people experienced the end of relationships.
He shared his warmth with the families and reminded them that children are most affected by divorce. They look to their parents for stability, love, support, and strength.
Francis stated that his intention was to send his Christmas letter to married couples from his studio window.
“The end of a marriage is a terrible thing. Many hopes are lost, and miscommunications can result in arguments that cannot be fixed.” “Children have to feel the loss of their parents.
He encouraged parents to continue seeking out help, even through prayer, to resolve conflicts. He reminded parents to remember that forgiveness can heal all wounds.
He repeated the refrain that he used often when meeting families or married couples: “Please, Thanks, and Sorry.”
Francis picked up on the theme during his comments to tourists in St. Peter’s Square. Francis stated that failure to reach peace before sleeping at night could lead to a cold war the following morning.
“How often, unfortunately, conflict originates within the domestic walls because of prolonged periods silence and unchecked selfishness!” He added. “Sometimes, it can even end up in moral and physical violence. It can cause harm to harmony, and even death in the home.
He advised families to stop using their smartphones at dinner and just talk. He said, “It is sad to see families at lunch with their own cellphones not talking to each other, and everyone on the phone,”
The argument then breaks out and everyone repeats the same refrains,’staging comedy they have already seen. And in the end, a silence falls. After a family conversation, that silence is so cold and sharp it’s very, very ugly. He added.
He exhorted parents not to focus on themselves, but to look at others and pray for the peace of mind.