Pope Francis met with the academic community of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences at the Vatican on Monday, November 25, 2024. During the meeting, the Pope emphasized the importance of accompanying unmarried couples and divorced individuals, rather than excluding them. He encouraged the institute to continue its work in promoting the “Gospel of the family” and supporting Catholic spouses and families in their mission as witnesses of fidelity, service, and openness to life.
The Pope cited St. Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, highlighting the need for a “critical understanding” of the anthropological and cultural challenges affecting marriage and family life today. He encouraged the institute to collaborate with academics and cultural institutions to better support Catholic families and to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges they face.
Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of not excluding anyone from the Church’s pastoral care. He quoted his own apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, stating that the Church “does not close the door to those who struggle on the path of faith, but opens it wide, because all ‘need merciful and encouraging pastoral care’.” The Pope encouraged the institute to promote the family, founded on marriage, and to contribute to making the marital bond stronger.
The Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences was established in 2017, and it has branches in several countries around the world. The institute is affiliated with the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Pontifical Academy for Life, and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.