Bishops commit to listen to families

Bishops concluded a weeklong Vatican meeting on October 14 with a commitment to better understand the lives of modern families and address why young people are hesitant to marry. The gathering, held from October 7 to 14, brought together 115 presidents of bishops' conferences, family ministry experts, heads of Eastern Catholic churches, and lay people to discuss pastoral approaches to marriage and family life.

The meeting was called by Pope Leo XIV to evaluate how local churches have implemented the 2016 document Amoris laetitia, which focuses on love in the family. Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta stated that the document remains relevant by challenging the Church to meet people where they are and listen to families before passing judgment. He noted that families play a prophetic role in a world characterized by isolation and anonymity.

A synthesis report from the meeting will be released after Pope Leo XIV reviews it. The publication date is currently uncertain because the pope is hospitalized following surgery on October 13 to remove cancerous tissue from his lung.