When it comes to women’s issues, it’s impossible for there not to be controversy tagging along with them. One of the more meager, yet still potentially explosive ones, centers around breastfeeding. There are those, although not many, that are against the practice no matter what, saying that a mother should retreat to the bathroom or an isolated place.
Unsurprisingly, that upsets a lot of people. But the reality isn’t quite how the media portrays it, as many of those that are “opposed” are against it when there’s no covering when a woman just pulls out her bare breast to feed for anyone to see. While that position still angers public breastfeeding proponents, it makes more sense than being completely against it. Regardless of one’s position, however, a person far more important than practically everyone has weighed in on the issue in favor of the natural practice.
As reported at the New York Post, Pope Francis was busy this Sunday baptizing 34 infants in the Sistine Chapel. During the ritual, he urged the mothers to not hold back, to breastfeed their child should they start to cry.
“If they start performing a concert (by crying), or if they are uncomfortable or too warm or don’t feel at ease or are hungry … breastfeed them, don’t be afraid, feed them, because this too is the language of love,” he said in a homily at the beginning of the service.
During the two-hour ceremony, Pope Francis baptized 18 girls and 16 boys, including two pairs of twins. While it’s unknown if any of the mothers took the Pope up on his offer, his endorsement is sure to be welcomed by public breastfeeding crusaders.
Over the years Pope Francis has bee very open about his preference of breast milk over baby formula when it comes to nourishing children. But his use of the yearly papal baptism to address the issue of harassment of women who publicly feed their infants was a surprise. When it comes to those you want supporting your cause, you can’t do much better than having the Pope of your side.
Source: New York Post