Pope Francis asks that mothers-in-law be treated better while asking them not to criticize

Pope Francis has asked this Wednesday that mothers-in-law be treated better and has urged them not to criticize, "to be careful with their tongue", in a new catechesis dedicated to the elderly, during the general audience held in the Plaza de Saint Peter.

Francisco has held a new audience in the Vatican square before several thousand faithful, whom he has greeted from the

during a tour between the various sectors of the square and has appeared with visible difficulties when walking due to his problems knee, which have forced him to suspend some acts on his agenda.

In his catechesis, the Pope has pointed out that there are "common places about family ties created by marriage, especially between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law" and has asked to overcome "the most common prejudices": "Today the mother-in-law is a mythical character , I'm not saying that we think they are the devil, but they are always said to be bad.

But they are the mother of your husband, of your wife”, he recalled.

“They are also mothers, they are older and one of the most beautiful things for grandmothers is to see their grandchildren.

It is true that sometimes they are a little special, but they have given everything.

At least make them happy, let them carry their old age with happiness”, he added.

And to mothers-in-law she has exhorted: “To you, mothers-in-law, I say: be careful with your tongues.

It is one of the sins of mothers-in-law, the tongue.”

He also pointed out that "youth proves capable of giving new enthusiasm to mature age" and that "old age reveals itself capable of reopening the future for wounded youth", and in view of this he insisted on the importance of "an alliance of the generations".

Health problems

His knee problems were confirmed on the trip that was to take him to Malta on April 2.

As usual, Francisco, 85, boarded the last one, when all the journalists and the entourage that accompanies him were already on the plane.

This time, however, he had to do it with the help of a lateral forklift to avoid the pain in his knee caused by the effort of climbing the stairs of the ship.

On the return trip he himself explained it this way to questions from journalists: “My health is a bit capricious.

I have a knee problem, which causes locomotor problems.

But it improves, at least now I can walk.

Two weeks ago I couldn't even do that.

It's kind of slow.

Let's see if he goes back, but at this age you don't know how the game will end.

Let's hope it goes well, "he said then.

In fact, this Tuesday Francisco suspended his agenda again on medical advice, due to the same pain in his right knee.

And the Vatican communication office has referred to it for the first time.

"Due to knee pain and on medical advice, Pope Francis has interrupted the activities planned for today, including his participation in the meeting of the Council of Cardinals, of which a new session began today," he reported in a brief The Vatican press office reported.