To start off his weekly general audience, Pope Francis made his way through St. Peter's Square, in the popemobile, blessing crowds along the way.
In his catechesis, Pope Francis talked about the family, focusing on the need to restore the basics, starting with actually having a conversation with one another at the dinner table.
POPE FRANCIS
'A family that rarely eats together, or a family where no one speaks, opting instead to watch television or look at smartphones, is not much of a family.'
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, the Pope said that through the Eucharist, Jesus shows just how important food is- to nurture the body and soul. Food, he added, is meant for social interaction.
POPE FRANCIS
'Families should speak at the table. They should listen. No silence! I'm not talking about a reflective silence, this silence is one of selfishness. Everyone does their own thing. One watches television, someone is on the computer and no one talks. No! No more silence. Let's restore family interaction.'
He said it's unacceptable for rich countries to waste food, while people in other parts of the world go hungry. Furthermore, he said it's a contradiction, that to solve the issue, even more money is spent.
POPE FRANCIS
'This senseless issue distracts us from true hunger of the body and the soul.'
Keeping in line with the theme of the family, the Pope also congratulated newlywed couples attending the audience, calling on them to be open to life.