On the feast day of the Holy Family, Francis calls on the faithful in St Peter's Square to pray in silence (and then with a Hail Mary) in support of families in need. The pontiff mentioned the importance of grandparents and intergenerational solidarity in households. At the end, his thoughts go to the plane that disappeared between Singapore and Indonesia, and for people in distress in the waters of the Adriatic, saying "I am close to you affection and prayer."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Today's family face "many" challenges, from the lack of work to disunity. However, the simple but powerful light that comes from the Holy Family "is the light of mercy and salvation for the world, the human family and individual families." For this reason, "let us pray in silence for all these families," said Pope Francis during the Angelus he delivered on the feast day of the Holy Family.

"On this first Sunday after Christmas," the pontiff said, "whilst we are still immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the festivity, the Church invites us to contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth. The Gospel today presents Our Lady and Saint Joseph when, forty days after the birth of Jesus, they go to the temple of Jerusalem."

"We can imagine," the pope went on to say, "this little family, in the middle of so many people, in the large courtyards of the temple. It does not stand out; it does not draw any attention . . . Still it does not go unnoticed! Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, moved by the Holy Spirit, come close and begin to praise God for that Child, in whom they recognise the Messiah, light of the nations and salvation of Israel."

This is a simple but rich moment of prophecy. "The meeting between the two newly-weds, full of joy and faith for the graces of the Lord; and the two seniors, also full of joy and faith for the Spirit. Who brought them together? Jesus did. Jesus brought together the young and the old. Jesus is the One who brings the generations closer together. He is the source of love that unites families and people, overcoming every distrust, isolation, and distance. This makes us think even about the grandparents: how important their presence is! How precious their role in the family and in society is! A good relationship between the young and the old is crucial for the progress of civil and church communities."

Looking at these two seniors, Francis, without referring to his written notes, said that through "these two grandparents, Simeon and Anna, we salute with an applause all the grandparents of the world! The message that comes from the Holy Family is first of all a message of faith. In the family life of Mary and Joseph, God is truly at the centre; it is so in the person of Jesus. This is why the Family of Nazareth is holy: because it is centred on Jesus."

When parents and children breathe together this atmosphere of faith, "they possess an energy that allows them to face trials that can be difficult, as shown by the experience of the Holy Family, for example in the dramatic flight into Egypt. A hard test."

The Child Jesus with His Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, the pope said, "are a familiar icon, simple yet so bright. The light that it radiates is the light of mercy and salvation for the whole world, the light of truth for every man, for the human family and for individual families. This light that comes from the Holy Family encourages us to offer warmth in those family situations where, for various reasons, there is a lack of peace, harmony and forgiveness. May our concrete solidarity not fail, especially towards the families who are experiencing the most difficult situations because of disease, lack of employment, discrimination, the need to emigrate . . ."

Here the Pope stopped. "Now, let us pause a little, and silently pray for all those families in need: for not understanding each other and for disunity. In silence, let us pray for all of them. We entrust all families of the world to Mary, Queen of the family, so that they may live in faith, harmony, and mutual help. For this reason, I invoke for them the maternal protection of the One who was the mother and daughter of her Son."

Following the Marian prayer, the Holy Father spoke again without his written remarks, saying, "My thoughts at this time go to the passengers of the Malaysian plane that disappeared whilst travelling between Indonesia and Singapore, as well as to passengers in the waters of the Adriatic Sea. I am close with affection and prayers to the relatives and those involved in rescue operations."

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