Pope Leo urges church to accompany fragile families, continuing Francis’ legacy

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VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic bishops to accompany families facing “limits, wounds and apparent failure,” continuing the pastoral approach of his predecessor, Pope Francis, as he addressed a Vatican gathering marking the 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia,” the late pontiff’s teaching document on marriage and family.

“The experience of families has something to teach everyone, since fragility belongs to our common human condition and therefore also to the life of the Church,” the pope said in his address on Wednesday (Oct. 7).

The pope reflected on “the gap” between the good people aspire to and the reality of people’s lives, stating that “we need grace, forgiveness and new beginnings” to renew faith and fidelity in the face of everyday challenges and trials.

Leo convened the Oct. 7-14 Vatican meeting of presidents of bishops’ conferences and heads of Eastern Catholic churches from around the world, alongside married couples and experts, to assess the impact of “Amoris Laetitia” and discuss how the church can better accompany families.

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