“Be kind to your mother-in-law.” Pope Francis gave this striking advice during his weekly speech in St. Peter’s Square.
In his audience, the Argentine emphasized the importance of family ties. “What could be more beautiful for a woman than having grandchildren? The children of her children, she brightens up completely again,” it sounded, among other things.
The sensitive theme of ‘mothers-in-law’ soon came up. “They are often the victims of clichés,” it sounded. “I don’t mean that we see her as the devil, but she is always portrayed in a disparaging way. Remember, though, that the mother-in-law is your partner’s mother. Girls, they gave birth to your husband. Make them happy, they deserve it.”
“The further away from our mother-in-law, the better,” we often think. But that’s all wrong. She is a mother and an older woman for whom we should respect.”
Yet the Pope also had a message for the mothers-in-law themselves. “Sometimes watch your words a little.”
This is not the first time Francis has tackled this thorny subject. In 2015, an audience of thousands of American listeners was also treated to such a phrase. “Families argue. Sometimes the signs fly around and lead to headaches for children. And I haven’t even mentioned mothers-in-law yet,” it sounded then.
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