Pope Francis delivered two Christmas messages at the Vatican this Saturday, warning of the “destructive effects” of gossip, while celebrating the importance of family life and humble service.
“An ecclesial community lives in joyful and fraternal harmony to the extent that its members walk the path of humility, refusing to think and speak ill of one another,” the Pope noted in his annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia on December 21.
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The Holy Father warned that gossip “damages social bonds, poisons hearts and leads to nothing,” as he addressed cardinals and senior Vatican officials. He urged them to practice self-accusation rather than accusing others, drawing on the teachings of early Christian spiritual teachers.
The Vatican announced this Saturday that, due to the bad weather and cold symptoms that have manifested in recent days, the Pope will pray Sunday’s Angelus from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta, instead of the usual window of the Apostolic Palace, also in view of next week’s commitments.
Before beginning his reflection on December 21, the Pontiff referred to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, deploring the suffering and “cruelty.”
Pray together during the Christmas season
In a separate address to Vatican employees and their families, the Pope compared Vatican City to “a great honeycomb” filled with activity in its streets, courtyards, hallways and offices. He thanked those who work and could not attend the meeting, but who made it possible for it to take place.
The Pope emphasized the theological virtue of humility, connecting it with the mystery of the Incarnation and, particularly, with the birth of the Lord. He encouraged Vatican workers to see their daily tasks as participating in “the hidden Nazareth of their particular tasks” that help bring humanity to Christ.
Speaking to employees and their families gathered in the Paul VI Hall, Francis stressed the importance of family life, urging special attention to grandparents. “Do you visit your grandparents? Do your grandparents live in the family or do they live in a retirement home without anyone visiting them?” asked the pope.
He encouraged families to pray together during the Christmas season, especially before birth. “Without prayer there is no progress, not even in the family. Teach your children to pray,” Francis urged.
The Pope described the Roman Curia as a “workshop” where various roles contribute to spreading God’s blessings throughout the world. He emphasized that humble service reflects “the path of God himself, who in Jesus deigns to share our human condition.”
Translated and adapted by ACI Prensa. Originally published in CNA.
AC Wimmer
AC Wimmer is founding editor-in-chief of CNA Deutsch. This polyglot Australian, raised in Bavaria and South Africa, held senior positions at Australia’s SBS and was editor-in-chief of the historic Münchner Kirchenzeitung. Graduated in Philosophy and Chinese Studies from the University of Melbourne, Anian Christoph Wimmer – Chinese name 刘威猛 – was part of the jury for the Media Prize of the German Bishops’ Conference, is a former honorary researcher in Communications at the University of Melbourne and was part of the Caritas Council in Munich.