With only days to New Year’s Eve, traditionally, it is time to reflect on the lessons learnt and make resolutions for the next chapter.

Those in relationships looking to kick-start 2022 on the right foot are being given some first-rate advice from Pope Francis.

Even though the head of the Catholic Church has never been in one himself, he lectured couples to always remember three key words – ‘please, thanks and sorry’.

In a letter to married partners published today, he acknowledged that the Covid-19 crisis has forced families to spend more time together and in doing so, some feuds have been aggravated.

The pope noted that such enforced togetherness has at times tested the patience of parents and siblings alike, and in some cases, has led to difficulties.

‘Pre-existing problems were aggravated, creating conflicts that in some cases became almost unbearable,’ he wrote.

‘Many even experienced the break-up of a relationship.’

Indeed, the pandemic caused the perfect storm of anxiety and uncertainty for relationships of all types, with many couples presented with the unprecedented challenge calling it quits in the last two years.

According to the latest available data from the Office for National Statistics, the UK divorce rate is estimated to be at 42%.

This means that over four out of 10 marriages in England and Wales end in divorce, with nearly half of these breakups happening in the first decade of marriage.

But the pope reminded parents that the break-up of a marriage is often particularly hard on children and encouraged them to keep seeking help to try to overcome conflicts – including through prayer.

He said: ‘The breakdown of a marriage causes immense suffering, since many hopes are dashed, and misunderstandings can lead to arguments and hurts not easily healed.

‘Children end up having to suffer the pain of seeing their parents no longer together.

‘Remember also that forgiveness heals every wound. After every argument, don’t let the day end without making peace.’

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