Pope stresses balance of work, family in new interview with Chinese paper

As the Chinese New Year approaches, Pope Francis has granted an interview to Hong Kong’s Asia Times in which he touches on an array of topics including the country’s rapid rise to power and a realistic balance of work and family life.
With many families facing division and even separation due to the heavy emphasis that is often place on work-efficiency in China, Pope Francis has suggested “a healthy realism” regarding one’s responsibilities at work and in the home as a remedy.
“Reality must be accepted from wherever it comes,” he said in the interview, published Feb. 2. “Reality must be accepted for what it is. Be realistic. This is our reality.”
First, one has to accept reality for what it is, he said, adding that even if it's ideal, "if I don’t come to terms with it, I won’t be able to do anything."
Then the second step, he said, "is to work to improve reality and to change its direction.”
Pope Francis spoke with Asia Times columnist and senior researcher at China’s Renmin University Francesco Sisci Jan. 28 at the Vatican.
In the course of the lengthy interview, the Pope sent special greetings to China’s president, Xi Jinping, as well as all the Chinese people in honor of their new year, which will be celebrated Feb. 8.
In addition to expressing his esteem and respect for the Chinese people and their culture, Francis also touched on sensitive topics such as China’s rapid growth, the country’s One Child policy, which has recently been amended allowing families to have two children, as well as challenges related to the overbearing emphasis that is often placed on work.