Pope Francis might not be a married man himself, but a lot of people are still open to taking marriage advice from him. That's especially true given he's proven himself to be a more progressive religious leader over and over again.
On Sunday, the 85-year-old dished it out, and it's pretty simple, yet solid. The pope told a crowd of worshippers at the Vatican what he believes are the most important words in any marriage. Those words are "please," "sorry," and "thank you."
When it comes to taking marriage advice from religious leaders, of course it's not for everyone. But ask most married people and they'd likely agree with just how essential those words are for a successful life together.
While Pope Francis is not married, he has counseled many couples throughout his life. Many have shared that his wisdom was truly crucial in saving their marriages.
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He told the crowd about how he believes marital divides can begin and deepen. “How many times, unfortunately, conflicts originate within the domestic walls due to prolonged periods of silence and from unchecked selfishness,” he said during the address. “Sometimes it even ends up in physical and moral violence. This lacerates harmony and kills the family.”
He also talked about the importance of letting go. "Forgiveness heals every wound," he said. "The breakdown of a marriage causes immense suffering, since many hopes are dashed, and misunderstandings can lead to arguments and hurts not easily healed," he stated. "Children end up having to suffer the pain of seeing their parents no longer together."
The pope believes deeply in the importance of family. “Maybe we aren’t born into an exceptional, problem-free family, but our family is our story — everyone has to think: ‘It’s my story.’ They are our roots: If we cut them, life dries up!” he said.
He also opened up about how much times have changed — and how technology can keep families from connecting deeply. “It’s sad to see a family at lunch, each one with his or her own cell phone not speaking to one another, everyone talking to the mobile phone,” he said.
With the health crisis still booming, the pope's words will certainly be heard around the world. Marriages have been struggling more than ever before. While many may find some of Francis' statements controversial, it's hard to argue with the value of saying "please," "thank you," and "sorry" in just about any relationship.
