Pope Leo XIV called on the Church to face the realities of family life with courage, compassion, and a willingness to listen as bishops, priests, lay faithful, and families from around the world gathered at the Vatican to mark the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, the apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis on love in the family.
Speaking at the opening of the gathering at the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Holy Father emphasized the need to learn from families, particularly those experiencing hardship, loneliness, and what may appear to be failure. “The wisdom of the people of God reaches us through our common faith, which enlightens all families,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the many challenges affecting families today, including economic insecurity, migration, violence, loneliness, and emotional fragility. He noted that while young people continue to long for love, fidelity, and belonging, many struggle to understand how these desires can be lived out amid the realities of contemporary society.
Rather than offering quick answers, the Pope encouraged the Church to listen more deeply. He asked what people are truly seeking, what their joys and struggles reveal, and whether the Church’s pastoral language and presence are able to reach people’s hearts.
He also urged the Church to learn from parents as they accompany their children and young people. “Fragility deserves special attention,” Pope Leo XIV said, reminding the participants that everyone experiences the gap between the good they desire and what they are able to live. In such moments, he emphasized the need for grace, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
The Holy Father challenged the Church to consider what kind of community people encounter when they are most vulnerable. He called for a Church where those experiencing difficulty can still recognize that they have a place, a responsibility, and gifts to offer.
As the gathering continues until October 14, Pope Leo XIV entrusted its work to prayer, honest dialogue, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He reminded the participants that the Spirit can speak through the very situations that challenge the Church, revealing how God’s mercy and the grace of Christ continue to reach families in their weakness, resilience, hopes, and disappointments.
At the heart of the Pope’s message is a call for the Church to remain close to families—not only by proclaiming the Gospel, but by listening, accompanying, and becoming a living witness of Christ’s truth and mercy.
