AFP, published on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 18:37
Pope Francis on Wednesday paid tribute to mothers-in-law, who he says are often victims of the most trivial “stereotypes,” and urged them to “be careful with language,” particularly in their relationship with their daughters-in-law.
During his general audience in St. Peter’s Square, dedicated to intergenerational relations this Wednesday morning, the High Priest made a long digression on “the mythical character” of the mother-in-law.
“The mother-in-law, I’m not saying we see her as a she-devil, but she’s always portrayed in a pejorative way. But the mother-in-law is your husband’s mother and your wife’s mother, “he said. -he says.
“We tell ourselves, mother-in-law, the further away she is, the better. But no, she’s a mother, she’s an older person. One of the most beautiful things for a woman is to have grandchildren, children have children, she comes alive again,” the 85-year-old Argentine pope continued.
Jorge Bergoglio issued this warning to daughters-in-law: “Take care of your relationships with your mothers-in-law. Sometimes they are a little special, but they gifted motherhood to their spouse “make them happy”.
And finally, François addressed this warning to the mothers-in-law: “I tell you, be careful how you express yourself. [les écarts] Idioms are one of the worst sins of a mother-in-law.”
On that occasion, the Pope asked forgiveness for leading the general audience seated, still severely weakened by knee pain that forced him to cancel several appointments recently.
“I beg your pardon, because I will greet you sitting,” he called out to his faithful at the end of the audience, at the end of which the Prince-Bishop traditionally likes to walk in the crowd.
“This knee is slow to heal and I can’t stay up late. My apologies, thank you,” he added to applause.
Francis, who began his tenth year of pontificate in March, is suffering from “acute” pain in his right knee that has recently prevented him from attending certain events or leading celebrations.
It was very difficult to get around when he made a two-day visit to the Mediterranean island of Malta earlier this month.
He also suffers from hip pain that leaves him listless and underwent delicate colon surgery in July 2021.
The pope told Argentine daily La Nacion last week to treat his pain from a torn ligament by putting ice on his knee and taking painkillers.
His pain should eventually go away, according to his doctors, but the healing process “is slow at his age.”