Earlier version, Thursday 22 October
Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers at general audience
Life & Family General Audience, 21 October 2026
Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers during a general audience on October 21, 2026, marking his first appearance at the weekly gathering since undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right lung.
During his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's pastoral constitution, Gaudium et Spes, the pope discussed the importance of marriage and family as the foundation of society. He explained that the well-being of individuals and Christian communities is closely tied to the health of the family unit. Referring to the document, the pope described marriage as an intimate partnership of life and love based on a conjugal covenant where spouses mutually give themselves to one another.
The pope noted that marital love involves the whole will of the spouses and is expressed through tenderness and affection. He also identified children as the greatest gift of marriage, stating that parents have a responsibility to welcome, protect, and educate them.
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Read the sourceVatican News
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan · kazama
church.mt · Sr Alexandra Chircop
Diocese of Divinópolis · Comunicação
Eparchy of Wrocław-Koszalin · petr-fos
Earlier version, Thursday 22 October
Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers at general audience
Earlier version, Thursday 22 October
Pope Leo XIV gives general audience
Earlier version, Thursday 22 October
Pope Leo XIV resumes general audience
Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October
Pope Leo XIV thanks for prayers at first general audience post-surgery
Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October
Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful at first general audience post-surgery
Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October
Pope Leo XIV thanks God and faithful for prayers at General Audience
Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October
Pope Leo XIV affirms the ‘unbreakable oneness’ of marriage at first general audience post-surgery
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