Amoris laetitia: For a new proclamation of Gospel with families and for families

Pope Leo XIV Brings Church Leaders Together to Strengthen Family Ministry

Pope Leo XIV is bringing Church leaders, families and experts together at the Vatican from October 7 to 14 for a meeting marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. The gathering, titled “Ten Years After Amoris Laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel with Families Today,” is being held in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

The meeting focuses on how the Church can renew pastoral ministry and encourage families to become more active participants in the life and mission of the Church.

Gabriella Gambino, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, explained that the gathering is centered on listening and discernment. The meeting brings together 187 participants, including Bishops, representatives of Eastern Catholic Churches, Cardinals, experts, invited guests and families from different parts of the world.

Listening to Families

Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa explained that the gathering is not a Synod or a continuation of previous Synods. Instead, it provides an opportunity for the Church to listen to families and understand the challenges they experience in today’s changing world.

The participants will reflect on difficulties faced by families and consider how the Church can provide stronger pastoral support. The discussions will also explore how faith can be transmitted within families and how Christian families can contribute more actively to the mission of the Church.

The meeting will focus on five major areas: the reality of families today, young people and their vocation to marriage, the first years of married life, support for families experiencing difficult situations, and Christian families as protagonists of the Church’s mission.

Experts have also highlighted the creativity and faith of families around the world. Their experiences can help the Church discover new ways to accompany families throughout their lives, beginning before marriage and continuing through times of difficulty.

Prayer and Discernment

Prayer will be an important part of the gathering. On October 7, Pope Leo XIV will introduce the proceedings following a meditation by Dominican Sister Helen Alford, President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Father Costa emphasized that prayer is part of the method of the meeting. Participants will not only exchange information and opinions but will also seek to listen to the Word of God, to one another and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Families, Bishops and experts will participate in discussions and working groups. Moments of speaking, listening and silence will help participants identify areas of agreement, differences, questions and possible paths forward.

A Report for the Pope

The gathering will not produce a new document replacing Amoris Laetitia. Instead, a Commission will prepare a synthesis of the discussions, which will be considered by the participants and then sent to Pope Leo XIV.

The meeting comes ten years after Amoris Laetitia, which followed the Synods on the family held in 2014 and 2015.

At its heart, the gathering seeks to strengthen the role of families as places of faith and evangelization. Amid changing social realities, migration, conflict and other challenges, the Church is seeking new ways to support families and accompany them in their Christian vocation.

The Vatican’s initiative emphasizes prayer, listening, dialogue and discernment, with the goal of discovering new paths to proclaim the Gospel with families and for families today.