Pope preaches homily on joy, speaks about babies crying in church

December 15, 2014

Pope Francis visited the suburban Roman parish of San Giuseppe all’Aurelio on December 14 and celebrated an evening Mass after meeting with parish groups.

“The Church is with you, she welcomes you always, especially this parish,” the Pope told members of the local Romani (gypsy) community, according to Vatican Insider. “Always be close to the Church. Don’t lose hope.”

Calling children’s tears “the best sermon,” the Pope told parents of children baptized in the last year that “children cry, they are noisy, they don’t stop moving. But it really irritates me when I see a child crying in church and someone says they must go out. God’s voice is in a child’s tears: they must never be kicked out of church.”

After meeting with the sick and hearing confessions, the Pope offered Mass and preached on the importance of gratitude and joy.

It “hurts to see Christians with a bitter face, restless with bitterness because they are not at peace,” he said. “Saints have the face of joy.”

 

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Further information:

• Pope celebrates Mass for Gaudete Sunday at Roman parish (Vatican Radio)
• “Christmas is not about consumerism, it’s about helping others. The Church is close to the Roma communities” (Vatican Insider)
• Parish website