Pope, in Lima address, emphasizes centrality of the family, founded on the love of a man and a woman

November 13, 2026

Pope Leo XIV emphasized the centrality of the family during a meeting devoted to the “challenges and hopes for the future of the Peruvian people” (video).

“Human life does not begin in a vacuum,” Pope Leo said. “It is born of the love between a man and a woman who, giving themselves to one another, open themselves to the gift of a new life.”

“A child is the fruit of this communion, not a product, and from the very beginning bears within the mark of the relationship of origin,” the Pope continued. “This most fragile beginning is nurtured in the mother’s womb, the first place of welcome, where the initial bond becomes closeness and protection. According to the Creator’s plan, the human person is conceived and grows within this web of relationships. Thus, the dignity of nascent life finds its proper place in the family.”

The Pontiff noted:

Enlightened by the Gospel and in harmony with the human sciences, the Church’s Tradition affirms that the family is the first natural society, with rights of its own. This means that the family precedes every written law. The law’s role is simply to recognize and protect it, while public institutions must support the family, not replace it.

Warning of “mistaken paths,” Pope Leo said that “this situation calls us to assert with even greater conviction that God created the human person male and female. It is in this union alone that reciprocity and complementarity are expressed, giving rise to fatherhood and motherhood, filiation and fraternity, and everyone’s commitment to a better society.”

“Nevertheless, living the truth of our identities as male and female does not justify an unequal sharing of domestic responsibilities or the subordination of one spouse to the other,” he added. “We must continue working to harmonize the roles of men and women in families and affirm that both share the responsibility for building the future of society.”

After reflecting on challenges that families face and discussing business, education, and cultural diversity, Pope Leo concluded:

Dear brothers, dear sisters, the family, the business world, cultural diversity and the role of women thus converge in one and the same requirement: to build a society in which every person can live with dignity and contribute to the good of all. Just structures are necessary, but they are not enough. We also need hearts that are honest in seeking the common good, so as to overcome corruption, violence and individualism.

As missionary disciples of Jesus Christ, let us make our homes schools of fraternity; our businesses communities of dignified work and social responsibility; our cultural differences opportunities for encounter; and our institutions places where women and men can participate and contribute to the common good. In this way, we can move toward a just society in which the dignity of every person is the foundation of true peace. Thank you.

After the meeting, Pope Leo returned to the apostolic nunciature, where he met privately with confrères from the Order of Saint Augustine.

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic Journey to Peru: Meeting on the challenges and hopes for the future of the Peruvian people (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/12/26)
• Meeting on the Challenges and Hopes for the Future of the Peruvian People in the square in front of the Cathedral (Holy See Press Office, 11/12/26)
• Pope urges Peruvians to build a society based on respect, inclusion, solidarity (Vatican News, 11/12/26)