Following a break for lunch, Pope Francis got in the pope mobile to head to Dublin's St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, not before greeting people who had waited in the street. Thousands of locals lined the streets to see the Holy Father as he made his way there.
Upon arriving, the pope was greeted by the Irish bishops before blessing the cathedral.
Once inside, Pope Francis paused for a few moments to pray in the chapel containing a candle in remembrance of victims of sexual abuse.
Later, the pope heard the testimony of an elderly couple about their marriage and who are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Among those present were hundreds of engaged couples. Two of them asked Pope Francis for advice on faith, marriage and family.
Denis and Sinead are getting married in a month.
Their friends do not understand that for them marriage is a permanent commitment. Stephen and Jordan have been married for a month. They wanted to know how to educate their future children in the faith.
Pope Francis began his speech with an observation that drew an applause.
POPE FRANCIS
“But with you here, so young, I wonder, is it not true what they say about young people not wanting to get married? It is true. Thank you, thank you.”
The pope celebrated the fact that it was an experienced couple who welcomed him and, with this joke, recalled that the elderly are bearers of wisdom.
POPE FRANCIS
“They, the old, let me have the word, the old, the old, have the wisdom. They have the wisdom, even mothers-in-law have the wisdom.”
Pope Francis lamented that today people do not believe that love and marriage can last a lifetime. He said it can be done and explained how to do it.
POPE FRANCIS
“There is a temptation that the 'lifetime' that you say to each other should be transformed into a 'yes, as long as love lasts' and if love is not made to grow with love, it does not last long. This 'lifelong commitment' is a commitment to make love grow because love is not the temporary thing. That's called enthusiasm, it's called enchantment, but love is definitive.” “Make strong bets, for life. Take a risk, because marriage is a risk but a worthwhile risk.”
To know how to communicate the faith to children, Pope Francis told this anecdote from his childhood.
POPE FRANCIS
“I remember once, I was 5 years old, I went into the house and I was in the dining room. Dad came home from work, and in front of me, Mom and Dad kissed. I'll never forget it. How nice! He was tired from work but had the strength to express his love for his wife. Let your children see you like this, caressing, kissing, hugging.”
The meeting ended with everyone praying the prayer of the families prepared especially for the 9th World Meeting of Families.
