PRESS RELEASE
POPE FRANCIS MEETS WITH SOME FAMILIES IN AN APARTMENT BLOCK IN THE PARISH COMMUNITY OF SANTA BRIGIDA DI SVEZIA
FOR THE THIRD MEETING OF THE “SCHOOL OF PRAYER”
(Vatican City) – The “School of Prayer” continues with its third appointment, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025 together with Pope Francis. This afternoon, the Holy Father, accompanied by the pro-prefect for the Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, met with around thirty families in an apartment block in the parish community of Santa Brigida di Svezia, in the Roman neighbourhood of Palmarola (zona Borgata Ottavia), in the far west outskirts of the city, for the third stop in the Year of Prayer initiative. During the meeting, adapting to the needs of the residents, Pope Francis spoke with young families with children, lone elderly people, grandparents and young people in a space adjacent to the building, next to garages with unfinished walls, about the importance of “protecting the family” and, as usual, answered questions from those present.
“Let us defend the family, which is oxygen for raising children”, the Pope emphasized. “Even in families, there are storms. If parents quarrel it is normal, but they must have the possibility of making peace before the day ends, because the cold war the day after is terrible”.
Some young people asked the Holy Father how to make their faith grow, and he answered that “the only way is witness”, adding, “You have the responsibility to carry history forward. One of the beautiful things about the young is that they get up again. We all fall in life, but the important thing is not to stay on the ground if you slip up”.
The Church was spoken of as a community of people, and not only as places of worship, which are far less present in this neighbourhood than in other areas of the city. One woman confessed that she was touched to see the Pope “in front of a still unfinished brick wall” because “it made him part of our community”. “The Church begins to take shape in the community”, said the Pope, adding, “a parish where children are not listened to and the elderly are cancelled out is not a true Christian community. Do not forget, the elderly are the memory and the children are the promise”.
Two fathers asked the Pope how to keep the faith in these difficult times, and how to raise children in the light of faith”.
“My first piece of advice is for parents to care for one another”, answered the Holy Father, because children must be able to “feel that their mum and dad love each other. If you must quarrel, do not do so in front of the children”. The value of dialogue with one’s children was also highlighted. “Never stop talking with them. Education is achieved through dialogue, never leave them alone. Let them understand that they can talk about everything”.
On the last occasions, Pope Francis conversed with young people of the parish of Santa Bernadette Soubirous on 24 May, and furthered the theme of “Prayer of thanks” on 11 April, with the catechism group of children receiving their First Communion of the parish of San Giovanni Maria Vianney.
Before concluding, the Holy Father gave some rosaries to the families, and a painting depicting the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus, which will be kept in the apartment block to commemorate today’s meeting.
