Pope Leo XIV sends message after surgery to Vatican conference, asks for prayers
Recovering from surgery in Rome, Pope Leo XIV sent a message to a Vatican conference marking 10 years of Amoris Laetitia and asked participants to pray for him. The pope thanked attendees for their prayers and discussions, and urged them to take the conference’s insights to their bishops’ conferences and dioceses. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle delivered Pope Leo’s prepared homily at the closing Mass, emphasizing the importance of strong families and compassionate support for those facing hardship.
about 5 hours ago
Pope Leo XIV, recovering from lung cancer surgery, sent a message to a Vatican conference on family life, thanked participants for their work and prayers, and asked them to pray for him. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle delivered a homily prepared by the pope at the conference’s closing Mass.
The Oct. 14 message was addressed to clergy and Catholics attending “10 Years After Amoris Laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel with Families Today.” Leo said he had been unable to join them, thanked them for sharing experiences and listening attentively, and asked them to pray for him as he prayed for them.
He urged participants to take the meeting’s insights back to their bishops’ conferences and dioceses, continue proclaiming the Gospel with families, and keep families actively involved in the life and mission of local churches.
Tagle, dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrated the conference’s closing Mass and read Leo’s prepared homily. The homily said the world has no future without strong families open to children and attentive to their education and growth.
It also called on families and faith communities to accompany people facing hardship with compassion rather than condemnation, and to support those in vulnerable circumstances without judgment or prejudice.
The Church’s pastoral care strengthens families through compassionate accompaniment
The Church’s pastoral care strengthens families by walking with them through every stage of life—not only offering guidance, but also practical support, patient listening, and hope. This accompaniment is especially important when families face hardship or crisis: the Church is called to approach them with understanding and compassion, while helping them discern a path forward in the light of the Gospel.
This care is shared across the Christian community. Experienced couples can support younger families, parishes can help spouses and children in difficulty, and families themselves can become witnesses and sources of help to one another.
Compassionate accompaniment does not mean ignoring the Church’s teaching about marriage. It means holding truth and mercy together: welcoming people, recognizing their struggles, and helping them take the next steps toward healing, fidelity, reconciliation, and fuller participation in the life of the Church.