Pope Francis feels ``like a mother-in-law``

Vatican City: Pope Francis, in lighter vein, has said he feels "rather like a mother-in-law" when called upon to give guidance.

"I feel rather like a mother-in-law giving advice on what should be done," the Pope said on Tuesday.

Asked what advice he had for families in the world`s second largest economy, where work pressures can separate parents from their children, Francis said: "I would suggest a healthy realism."

"First, I must be reconciled with reality. I don`t like it, I am against it, it makes me suffer, but if I don`t come to terms with it, I won`t be able to do anything. The second step is to work to improve reality and to change its direction," he stated.

In the landmark interview, Francis also sent Chinese New Year`s greetings to the Chinese people and President Xi Jinping, the first extended by a Pope to a Chinese leader for the lunar new year in 2,000 years.