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Pope highlights Holy Family as model of dialogue, warns against phone use at meals
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Dec 29, 2024 / 08:00 am
On Sunday, the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis highlighted the Family of Nazareth as a model of dialogue and mutual listening while warning against allowing mobile phones to disrupt family communication.
Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the weekly Angelus prayer, the pontiff reflected on the Gospel account of the young Jesus being found in the Temple after his parents had searched for him anxiously.
“It is good when a mother does not start with a rebuke, but with a question,” the pope said, pointing to Mary’s response when finding Jesus. “Mary does not accuse and does not judge, but tries to understand how to accept this Son who is so different by listening.”
The Holy Father emphasized that mealtimes offer “a special moment for dialogue in the family” while specifically cautioning against digital distractions.
“Never, never this,” Francis said emphatically about using mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other; this is the dialogue that is good for you and that makes you grow!”
Following the Angelus prayer, the pope offered special greetings to families connected via media. He also expressed particular concern for those suffering in war-torn regions, including Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, Sudan, and North Kivu.
The pontiff remembered families mourning in South Korea “following the dramatic air accident,” saying he was praying for both survivors and the departed.
At least 177 people died in South Korea’s deadliest air disaster Sunday when an airliner belly-landed, veered off the runway, and exploded at Muan International Airport, Reuters reported.
AC Wimmer (刘威猛) is the News Editor for Europe and Asia at EWTN News. The multilingual Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, served as editor-in-chief of several news media outlets. A graduate in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, the veteran journalist is a former Honorary Research Fellow in Communications at his alma mater and served on the Board of Caritas in Munich.
In a recent address, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the Holy Family as a model of dialogue within the family unit. He stressed the need for open communication, mutual respect, and understanding among family members in order to maintain strong and healthy relationships.
Furthermore, the Pope issued a warning against the use of phones and other electronic devices during meal times, as he believes that this interferes with the quality of conversation and connection between family members. He encouraged families to put away their phones and focus on engaging in meaningful discussions and spending quality time together during meals.
This message serves as a reminder to prioritize human interaction and interpersonal relationships over technology, and to follow the example set by the Holy Family in fostering harmony and understanding within the family unit. Let us take this message to heart and strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for meaningful dialogue and connection within our own families.
Tags:
- Pope Francis
- Holy Family
- Dialogue
- Phone use
- Meals
- Catholic Church
- Family values
- Communication
- Pope’s message
- Technology etiquette
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