During Mass in the Sistine Chapel, the pontiff said that faith "must always be transmitted in the family’s, the home’s dialect." He urged parents to “never quarrel in front of the children. [. . .] You do not know the anguish that comes to a child when he or she sees parents fighting." He warns against the “polyphony" of crying.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – In the solemn ambiance of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis led the Mass during which he baptised 27 newborns, 12 boys and 15 girls.
In the homily he pronounced without notes, the pontiff took a cue from the requests parents express in the rite when they ask for their children’s baptism: faith.
Such faith, Francis explained, "must be studied in catechism, but it must be first transmitted and this is done at home. [. . .] Faith,” he added, “must always be transmitted in the family’s, the home’s dialect."
Turning to the parents he said: "This is your task: to transmit faith by example, by words, by teaching [children] to make the sign of the cross. Transmit your faith with your life of faith: love between spouses, peace in the home", making everyone feel that "Jesus is there".
Although it is "normal to quarrel" in the family, "this is my advice: never quarrel in front of the children. [. . .] You do not know the anguish that comes to a child when he or she sees parents fighting."
The Pope ended with more advice: that of putting the little ones at ease and feeding them if they are hungry to avoid the "polyphony" of crying: "first one, then the other and then everyone starts crying".