Pope at Angelus: may families be together at Christmas

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis on Sunday told pilgrims gathered for the Angelus Prayer in St. Peter’s Square that Christmas is a time to be together as a family.

“My thoughts go in particular to the families who are reunited in these days: may those who live far from their parents return home; may brothers and sisters strive to be together again... At Christmas it is beautiful and important to be together as a family” he said.

The Pope also reflected on how there are many people however, who do not have this possibility for a number of reasons, and said that his greetings and words go in particular “to all those who are far from their family and from their land”.

“Dear brothers and sisters, our heavenly Father does not forget you and does not abandon you. If you are Christians, I wish that you may find in the Church a true family where you can experience the warmth of fraternal love” he said.

And to all, the Pope concluded: “the doors of the Christian community are open. Jesus is born for all and brings the love of God to all”.