Among the "many problems that put the family to the text," Pope Francis, in today's Audience in St. Peter's Square, analyzed poverty, turning first his thoughts to the many families "that live on the peripheries of big cities, but also in rural areas." Their situation is made even worse, the Pope added, "in some places because of war," the "mother of all poverty" that "impoverishes families" by "stealing lives, souls, our most sacred feelings and those who are dearest to us." Francis pointed out that, despite everything, there are "many poor families who persevere in living their daily lives with dignity, often openly entrusting themselves to God's goodness." In this sense, "it is almost a miracle that, even in the midst of poverty, families continue to be formed and to sustain—as they may—the special humanity of their ties. [...] We should kneel down before these families, who are a real school of humanity and save society from barbarism."
Today's economy, "often aimed at individual well-being," according to Pope Francis, "largely exploits family ties" and consequently "the immense work carried out by families is not appraised in budget plans," although "the inner formation of the person and the social circulation of affections find their pillar precisely there." As Christians, "we should be closer to the families tested by poverty," when the family is suffering and "ties weaken." In addition to the material factors, continued Francis, "damage is also caused to the family by pseudo-models spread by a media based on consumerism and the cult of appearance, which affect the poorest social classes and increase the breakdown of family ties." The Church "is a mother," and She "must not forget the misfortune of her children." Moreover, the Pope said, "She too must be poor, to become fruitful and respond to such misery. A poor Church is a Church that practices voluntary simplicity in Her own life—in Her institutions, in the lifestyle of Her members— in order to break down every wall, especially the one separating Her from the poor. This takes—he concluded—prayer and action."
