Today, the feast of the Holy Family, Francis indicated the nucleus of Nazareth as a “model.” After encountering Jesus in the Temple, Mary “does not accuse or judge, but seeks to understand.” Closeness to the families of at least 177 victims of the Muan plane crash, in South Korea. This morning the third Holy Door of the Jubilee was opened in Rome, in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
Vatican City () – “In the family it is more important to listen than to understand.” A packed St. Peter’s Square, as only happens on special occasions, received the words of Pope Francis, who appeared at 12:00 at the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace for the Angelus prayer. Starting from today’s Gospel (Lk 2:41-52), the feast of the Holy Family, the Pope reflected on the family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus as a “model.” “It is a family that dialogues, that listens, that speaks. Dialogue is an important element for a family! A family that does not communicate cannot be a happy family,” he said.
The reason for the exceptional participation was also the opening of the third Holy Door of the Holy Year 2025. This morning, around 10:00, the ceremony was held in the Roman Basilica of Saint John Lateran in the presence of the Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, Card. Baltasar Reina. The event, particularly appreciated by the Romans, follows the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica and in the Rebibbia prison. And it begins the celebration of the Jubilee in all the dioceses of the world.
After praying the Marian prayer, he did not stop referring to the international reality. “Our thoughts are with the many South Korean families who are grieving today due to the tragic plane crash. “I join in prayer for the survivors and for those who died,” he said. At 9:03 local time, at Muan airport in South Korea, a Jeju Air Boeing 737 from Bangkok crashed, killing at least 177 passengers. Koreans and two Thais were traveling on flight JJA-2216. Two crew members are out of danger, while at least two people are missing.
It is believed that the cause of the accident was a “bird strike” that prevented the landing gear from opening, essential to perform the maneuver. South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok, who will travel to Muan in the afternoon, chaired an emergency cabinet meeting. “All relevant authorities must mobilize all available resources to save people,” he said in a statement. According to the news agency Yonhapthere were 82 men and 93 women on board, ranging in age from 3 to 78 years old. A temporary morgue has been set up inside Muan airport.
In the reflection prior to the Angelus, based on the Gospel that narrates the episode in which Mary and Joseph find twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple and see him arguing with the doctors – he referred to “Mary’s state of mind.” He asks: “My son, why have you done this to us? Consider that your father and I were looking for you in anguish” (v. 48). “My Father’s affairs?” (v. 49). They manage to understand it.”
Delving into the attitude of Mary, mother of Jesus, the Pope highlighted that “it is beautiful when a mother does not begin with a reproach, but with a question.” In fact, she “does not accuse or judge, but rather tries to understand how to welcome this very different Son through listening.” But despite this wise openness, the Gospel says that Mary and Joseph “did not understand what he was telling them” (v. 50), “which shows that in the family it is more important to listen than to understand. To listen is to give importance to the other.” , recognize their right to exist and think for themselves. Children need this,” he added.
Pope Francis then spoke about the moments of family meals and stated that they were “a privileged moment of dialogue and listening.” “It is beautiful to sit together at the table and talk. “This can solve many problems and above all it unites generations: children talk to their parents, grandchildren talk to their grandparents,” he said. “Never stay closed in on yourself or, worse still, with your head in your cell phone. That should not be done…never, never should be done. Talk, listen to each other, this is the dialogue that does good and that makes people grow!”
Finally, the Pope remembered the numerous families “who suffer because of the war, in the martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu.” He asked that people pray for them: “Let us pray for all these families at war.” After the Angelus he also greeted in a special way the families who were present in San Pedro “and those who are connected from home through the media. The family is the cell of society, the family is a precious treasure!” that must be supported and protected!”
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