At today’s Angelus, Francis praised the initiative of the Pauline brothers who distributed a new edition of the Bible in St. Peter’s Square this morning. Speaking about the Synod, he said: “bishops have been called to take care and promote the family”

At today’s Angelus, Francis praised the initiative of the Pauline brothers who distributed a new edition of the Bible in St. Peter’s Square this morning. Speaking about the Synod, he said: “bishops have been called to take care and promote the family”

It was a “happy coincidence” that the Bible should be handed out for free on the very same day the Church began its reflection on the family. “For the family to be able to proceed well, with trust and with hopeit must be nurtured by the Word of God,” Francis said. At today’s Angelus in St. Peter’s Square Pope Francis praised the fact that “today, as the Synod for the Family opens, with the help of the Pauline brothers there is a Bible for every family!” The Bibles were handed out to mark the Pauline centenary celebrations. The Pauline Family was founded by “the great apostle of communication”,Giacomo Alberione. “We thank our Pauline brothers,” the Pope said speaking off-the-cuff.

“But father, we have two, we have three,” Francis said in another off-the-cuff remark. “But where have you hid them?” The Pope urged faithful not to just “put the Bible on a shelf, but to keep it on hand, dip into it often, both individually and together, husband and wife, parents and children, perhaps in the evening, especially on Sundays. In this way the family will grow and walk in the light and the strength of God’s Word!” The Pope held a copy of this Bible up, saying: “This is the Bible the Pauline brothers will give you. One for every family. “Now don’t try to be clever,” the Pope joked, “Only help yourselves to one, using one hand, not both; just one hand and take it home with you.”

“This morning we marked the start of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops by concelebrating mass in St. Peter’s Basilica,” Francis announced.” The Synod Fathers, who have come from all corners of the world and myself will be spending two intense weeks, listening and discussing, with the help of prayer. The subject of the discussions is “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization”. “Today, the Word of God presents the image of the vineyard as a symbol of the people whom the Lord has chosen,” Francis continued. “Like a vineyard, the people need to be cared for, they need patient and faithful love. This is what God gives us and this is what we as pastors are called to give. Looking after the family is also a way of working in the Lord’s vineyard so that it produces the fruits of God’s Kingdom.”

Before the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Francis asked faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to “connect spiritually with those at the Shrine of Pompeii, who elevate the traditional “Supplication” Our Lady of the Rosary. May she bring peace, to families and the whole world!” “May this bring peace to families and the entire world.”

At the end of the Angelus, the Pope recalled that “today Italy celebrates the elimination of architectural barriers”: “I encourage those who work to guarantee equal opportunities for all, regardless of the physical challenges of an individual. I hope that institutions and individual citizens will begin to focus more and more on this important social goal.”

The Pope recalled that: “Sister Maria Teresa Demjanovich of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth was beatified yesterday in the United States”: “We give thanks to God for this faithful disciple of Christ who led an intense spiritual life,” he said.

Before the joyful final greetings, Francis repeated his appeal: “Please do not forget to pray for the Synod; pray to Mary, that she may protect the Synodal assembly.” Just before today’s opening mass, Francis tweeted: “As we begin the Synod on the Family, let us ask the Lord to show us the way forward.”

“Have a good Sunday and enjoy your lunch,” the Pope concluded.

Vatican Insider