Adoption is among the highest forms of love

Without children, civilisation becomes old and without humanity

 Without children, civilisation becomes old and without humanity  ING-001
07 January 2022
Pope Francis continued his series of catecheses on Saint Joseph at the General Audience on Wednesday morning, 5 January, highlighting his role as Jesus’ foster father. During the catechesis, the Holy Father reiterated his concern regarding the current demographic winter. The following is a translation of his words which he shared with the faithful gathered in the Paul vi Hall. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! Today we will reflect on Saint Joseph as the father of Jesus. The evangelists Matthew and Luke present him as the foster father of Jesus, and not as his biological father. Matthew specifies this, avoiding the formula “the father of”, used in the genealogy for all the ancestors of Jesus; instead, he defines Joseph as the “husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ” (1:16). Luke, on the other hand, ...

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