The one thing Pope Francis says can save your family

'...do not end the day in war. Understood?'

During a general audience address on Wednesday, Pope Francis spoke of the role of forgiveness in helping families. He also touched on what Christian families can do for society as a whole, and the one thing families need to do to preserve themselves from division.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pope Francis spoke of the relationship between forgiveness and the family unit. He said, "practice of forgiveness not only preserves families form division," but allows them to help society become "less evil and cruel. Christian families can do a great deal for today's society, as well as for the church."

The pontiff continued, saying, "One cannot live without forgiving, or at least one cannot live well, especially in the family."

There were approximately 15,000 people in St. Peter's Square as the Pope admitted he wanted the final report of the recent Synod of Bishops on the family to be published so everyone could take part. He also said the general audience talk would reflect on the great gifts marriage and the family are for society, particularly in a world that "at times becomes barren of life and love."

He explained that families are like "a great gym where one trains in giving and in mutual forgiveness. There is a simple secret in order to heal wounds and dissolve accusations: Do not end the day without asking forgiveness from one another, without making peace between husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law."

Pope Francis told his audience that families who forgive each other are stronger and it creates a solid foundation to withstand any difficulties the future may bring. To forgive, he said, "you don't need to make a great speech; a caress is sufficient and it's all over. But, do not end the day in war. Understood? We cannot live without forgiveness - or at least, we cannot live well, especially in the family."

The pontiff also assured that the Church "is always near to help you build your house upon the rock of which Jesus spoke." He believes Christian families can help society and the church. He said the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy can be a chance for families "to rediscover the treasure of mutual forgiveness."

The Pope added, "Let us pray so that families may always be more capable of living and building concrete paths of reconciliation, where no one feels abandoned by the weight of their trespasses."

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online