Vatican, 15 May, 2021 / 12:15 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis urged Europeans on Friday to reflect on what they treasure, and whether they consider children to be the valuable gift they are.
Speaking at “The General State of the Birth Rate” event in Rome May 14, he said, “there is a phrase from the Gospel that can help anyone, even those who do not believe, to guide their choices.”
“Jesus says: ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart also be.’”
“Where is our treasure, the treasure of our society?” he asked. “In children or finances? What draws us, the family or revenue?”
The live-streamed event, held in the Conciliazione Auditorium, close to the Vatican, included presentations from company executives, journalists, actors, athletes, and Italian political leaders, including Prime Minister Mario Draghi, reflecting on the problem of Italy’s birth rate, which is one of the lowest in Europe at 1.24.