Pope Leo XIV to Vatican families: ‘Families give life and love’
Pope Leo XIV addressed Vatican employees and their families at the annual Family Feast, praising families as “great miracles” and urging them to give life and love. He reminded attendees of St. John Paul II’s idea that families mirror God’s presence, encouraging them to view themselves as a reflection of the divine. The Pope lightened the mood by joking with children about viral “six‑seven” math jokes and other TikTok‑style trends, drawing laughter from both kids and adults. The evening featured games, performances, pizza, and a “Little Firefighters” village, fostering unity and joy among Vatican staff and their loved ones.
25 days ago
Pope Leo XIV met with hundreds of Vatican employees and their families at the annual Family Feast in the Vatican Gardens on September 5, emphasizing family as a place where life and love are generously shared. 1
Addressing parents and children, Leo recalled St. John Paul II’s description of the family as “the mirror in which God sees Himself.” He said God is present in families and urged those gathered to recognize their homes and community as reflections of God. 1
The Pope identified giving life and giving love as the two “greatest miracles” of family life. He thanked the families for embodying this “great miracle” and encouraged them not to live selfishly, but to give themselves to family members, friends and others. 1
Leo prayed that the celebration would reflect God’s love and that families would experience the joy of being together and “the joy that only God can give.” 1
The event brought together Vatican families after the summer holidays. Children participated in games, performances and activities that included pizza, inflatable attractions and a “Little Firefighters” village. 1
Sr Raffaella Petrini, president of the Governorate, thanked the Pope for attending and expressed the families’ gratitude and affection. She described serving and assisting him in his mission as a great joy. 1
After his address, Leo walked among the participants, greeting families, blessing babies, embracing children and speaking with people who approached him. He also greeted elderly people and those in wheelchairs before returning to his residence. 1
The Pope also joined in a playful exchange about the viral “six-seven” trend, asking children how much six plus seven equals and answering, “Thirteen.” The joke drew laughter from children and adults. 1
Teenagers then invited him to say “aura,” a term popularized on platforms such as TikTok. Leo repeated the word, prompting further laughter. 1*
Families reflect divine presence, fostering life and love
The family reflects God’s presence when it becomes a community of life and love. In marriage, spouses give themselves faithfully to one another, welcoming children as gifts and cooperating with God in the work of creation.
Through daily acts of sacrifice, forgiveness, care, and education, the family becomes a “domestic church”—a living sign of Christ’s love and a place where faith is received and shared.
By welcoming and nurturing life, families also serve society. They teach respect, responsibility, solidarity, and generosity, becoming a foundation for human fraternity and the common good.