Pope Leo: ‘May families actively participate in life of the Church’

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“As you know, I have been unable to be among you during these days. I thank you warmly for your prayers and for the work you have done together. Your sharing of experiences and attentive listening are indeed a gift to the whole Church.”

This is how Pope Leo XIV began his message for the conclusion of the meeting marking the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis’ post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the family Amoris laetitia.

On Wednesday morning, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presided over the Mass on the Pope’s behalf for the conclusion of the October 7–14 meeting.

In his message, the Pope expressed his gratitude to the families who had spoken of their joys, struggles, and hopes, and to the Heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences for their preparation and the time they had devoted to the meeting.

“I will read the fruits of your work and discussions, and offer my reflections in due course,” Pope Leo assured the participants.

“In the meantime,” he said, “I encourage you to begin to share with your Episcopal Conferences and Dioceses what you have lived and received, and to continue proclaiming the Gospel with families, drawing on the richness of Amoris laetitia.”

In a particular way, the Pope expressed his hope “that families will always be active participants in the life and mission of your local Churches, and that they will help you to discern the paths ahead.”

The Pope invited all the meeting’s participants, as they returned home, to assure everyone in their communities of his spiritual closeness and encouragement.

“Entrusting each of you to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth, I ask you please to pray for me, as I pray for you,” Pope Leo said, as he imparted his Apostolic Blessing.