Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called for greater efforts to protect marriage and families, describing the family as a foundation of society and stressing that the well being of individuals and communities is closely connected to the strength of family life.
Speaking at his first Wednesday General Audience after undergoing surgery, the Pope also thanked people for their prayers and support. He encouraged the faithful to renew their trust in God's goodness and mercy during his address in St. Peter's Square on October 20.
The Pope continued his series of teachings on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the 1965 pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes, which examines the relationship between the Church and the modern world. His reflection centred on marriage, family life and their importance for society.
Pope Leo highlighted the document's description of the family as a school of deeper humanity and the foundation of society. He called on people with social responsibilities, particularly in political and cultural fields, to work actively for the well being of marriage and families.
"This task is more urgent than ever before," he said.
The Pope noted that the Church has long recognised the importance of family life, with successive Popes expressing pastoral concern for marriage and the family. He also recalled a meeting held at the Vatican from October 7 to 14 to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, which addresses love in the family.
The gathering brought together the heads of Eastern Churches and the presidents of bishops' conferences to reflect on the document.
Returning to Gaudium et Spes, Pope Leo explained that marriage is presented as an intimate partnership of married life and love, founded on the mutual commitment of a husband and wife. He said this relationship calls spouses to give themselves fully to one another, remain faithful and build a lasting union.
He stressed that marital love goes beyond physical attraction and involves the whole person, including the will, emotions, tenderness and care expressed through everyday actions. Such love recognises the equal dignity of both spouses and encourages them to share their lives in a relationship of mutual giving.
The Pope also highlighted the importance of children and the responsibility of parents to transmit and educate human life. He described spouses as cooperating with the love of God the Creator through their responsibility for bringing up children.
Parents, he said, should make responsible decisions that consider the good of both themselves and their children, guided by a well formed conscience and the Church's understanding of divine law.
Addressing the relationship between marital love and the transmission of life, Pope Leo stressed the need to preserve the meaning of mutual self giving and human procreation within genuine love.
He called for human life to be protected with the greatest care from the moment of conception and reaffirmed the Church's opposition to abortion and infanticide. He also emphasised the need to respect the dignity of marital intimacy.
The Pope concluded his reflection by asking the Holy Family of Nazareth to guide people on their journey and protect families throughout the world.
The General Audience also welcomed a delegation from Malta and Gozo. Frank Zammit, Malta's Ambassador to the Holy See, accompanied Alisson Zerafa Civelli, Minister for Local Government and Public Works, together with six regional presidents and all 68 mayors of Malta and Gozo, to meet the Pope.