Pope stresses importance of family values, Sunday rest

At the festive World Meeting of Families in Milan over the weekend, Pope Benedict XVI told a crowd of at least a million that traditional family values and Sunday rest were key to escaping the ills of modern society. Throughout the event, he repeatedly cited the importance of family as a tool to boost mores that the Church sees as under threat, making reference to marriages not “between man and woman.” He said, “Watch over your children and, in a world dominated by technology, transmit to them, with serenity and trust, reasons for living, the strength of faith, pointing them towards high goals and supporting them in their fragility.” He also urged the pilgrims that, espite the relentless rhythms of the modern world, do not lose a sense of the Lord’s day,” the pope said, describing the tradition of Sunday rest as “an oasis in which to pause… and celebrate the family.” The pontiff looked joyful despite a whistle-blowing scandal that recently hit the Vatican.

Read more the Pope’s message about family and Sundays on Rappler.

Read more on the Pope’s call for rich countries to help poor ones on Rappler.