Pope Francis: families are called to stability, fruitfulness

August 07, 2014

In a message to the First Latin American Congress on the Pastoral Care of the Family, which is taking place in Panama from August 4-9, Pope Francis emphasized that the family is called to stability and fruitfulness.

“We learn to live in the nuclear family based on loving relationships that are faithful until death, such as that of a spouse, father, child, and brother or sister,” Pope Francis wrote in his message, which was released on August 6. “These relationships form the basic fabric of human society, when they are given cohesion and consistency. Because you cannot be part of a community that opens itself out to others, to feel close to one another, to take account of the most needy and most unfortunate, if the human heart were to shatter these relationships that provide basic security to man.”

“In addition, family love is fruitful, not only because it generates new lives, but also because it broadens the horizon of existence, creates a new world; makes us believe, against all despair and defeat, that a coexistence based on respect and trust is possible,” the Pope continued. “Faced with a materialistic view of the world, the family does not reduce man to sterile utilitarianism, but channels his deepest desires.”

The Pontiff also said that the family is the place where no one is discarded, that the family is the place where solidarity with others takes root, and that family love allows one to grow in “openness to God as Father.”

 

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Further information:

• Messaggio del Santo Padre al I Congresso latinoamericano per la Pastorale familiare (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope sends message to Latin American family congress (Vatican Radio)