A Heartfelt Address to Children

As he does every year, Pope Francis paid a special visit to the children and staff of the Vatican’s Summer Camp. Despite the intense Roman heat during the 8:30 AM visit, the Holy Father engaged in dialogue with the children and teens, whose parents are Vatican employees.

In his address to the children, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of making peace at home. He urged siblings to reconcile after fights and to “never go to bed angry.” “Making peace is the most beautiful thing in life, and we must learn to make peace at home, when we quarrel with our siblings, or when we get angry. Never go to bed without making peace!” the Pope counseled.

Sharing Personal Memories

Pope Francis shared some childhood memories from Argentina, noting that “parents and family make you grow.” He mentioned the joy of spending holidays with his grandparents and encouraged the children to maintain close relationships with their elders, who will “help us find our way.”

“Of us four older siblings,” the Pope shared, “two would spend the holidays with our maternal grandparents, and two with our paternal grandparents. And then we would switch. So we would spend the holidays with our grandparents. It was very beautiful. I was fortunate to have my grandparents until I was 16.”

A Message of Gratitude and Blessings

The Pope also greeted the young summer camp staff, thanking them for their beautiful and meaningful work of accompaniment. The encounter concluded with a moment of prayer, followed by the release of natural, biodegradable rubber balloons of various colors, including a white one for the Pope. On the Pope’s balloon, one could read, “You are precious in the eyes of God.”

Adapted by Jacob Stein