Pope Leo XIV urged young couples to leave their parents’ home and embrace independence in order to fully experience married life. During his Sunday Angelus address, the pontiff also warned against overprotective parenting, saying children can only be happy if they learn to stand on their own feet. The pope devoted part of his speech to the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, expressing solidarity with victims and rescuers.
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace before the noon prayer, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the nature of love and commitment. He said that a full marital life requires three essential elements: detachment, loss, and acceptance. – Married life can be lived fully only if you leave your parents’ home in order to engage in the marital relationship – the pope stressed. He added that parents help their children realize themselves and be happy precisely by teaching them to make their own choices and stand on their own legs.
The pontiff pointed out that modern society often misunderstands the concept of loss. – In this sense, love is also a loss. It is hard for us to understand this, especially in a world where loss seems like a weakness and we become obsessed with possessing – he said. Pope Leo XIV explained that love bears fruit only when we give of ourselves, when we are willing to lose part of our 'I’ to make room for another person, lose some time to listen to a friend, or give up a bit of comfort to share someone’s difficult situation.
Love as sacrifice and daily gestures
The pope encouraged the faithful to see love not as an abstract feeling but as a series of concrete choices, commitments, and small daily gestures. He said that true love requires a constant readiness to let go of control and personal comfort for the sake of the other. This teaching, he noted, is particularly relevant for parents who struggle to let their adult children make their own decisions. Overprotectiveness, he implied, can stifle growth and prevent children from experiencing the fullness of life and relationships.
– We help children realize themselves and be happy if we teach them to stand on their own feet and make their own choices – Pope Leo XIV reiterated. His comments come amid growing debates in many Catholic communities about the balance between family support and individual autonomy in young adulthood.
Solidarity with earthquake-stricken Venezuela
Switching to Spanish, the pope expressed his closeness to the people of Venezuela after a massive earthquake that has claimed at least 1,430 lives, with more than 3,000 injured and an estimated 50,000 missing according to UN reports. – I wish to express my closeness to the Venezuelan brothers and sisters, affected by the recent earthquake that caused numerous deaths and injuries, as well as huge material losses – he said. Pope Leo XIV prayed for the eternal rest of the deceased and offered spiritual closeness to their families and all those affected by the tragedy. He also thanked and supported everyone working selflessly in the search and rescue efforts.
The death toll from the catastrophe rose to 1,430 on Saturday. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors among the rubble. The pope’s message of solidarity was warmly received by the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square under the scorching sun. Among the pilgrims were many Poles waving white-and-red flags, who had traveled to Rome for the audience.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his address by thanking everyone for attending despite the heat, reminding them that love, whether in marriage or in a broader community, is always an act of giving and receiving.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
