Dicastery for the Laity Family and Life

The Latest

Mary Rose and Ryan Verret.

Pope Francis names U.S. Catholic marriage advocates as advisers to Vatican family dicastery

Jan 26, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Holy Father named Ryan and Mary Rose Verret of the marriage ministry Witness to Love as consultants to the... Read more

Margaret Karram, the third president to lead the Focolare Movement, was among several members of ecclesial movements who were appointed to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life by Pope Francis on Nov. 25, 2023.

Pope adds married couples, Church movement reps to Vatican’s laity and family office

Nov 25, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The Vatican announced the pope’s picks to the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life on Nov. 25. Read more

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Vatican supports Catholic research to improve families and marriages

May 31, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has backed a project aimed at enhancing interdisciplinary research at Catholic universities in the sphere of family, marriage,... Read more

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Vatican preparing text for divorced and remarried couples, Cardinal Farrell says

Apr 25, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life will prepare the text at the request of Pope Francis. Read more

Pope Francis spoke to participants in a Feb. 16-18, 2023, conference on how pastors and laypeople can work together better

Pope Francis: Laypeople are not guests in the Church

Feb 18, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“The laity, and especially women, need to be more valued in their human and spiritual skills and gifts for the... Read more

Quebec Cardinal Gérald Lacroix speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 7, 2021.

Quebec cardinal: ‘We’re not managers, we’re not the boss’ of laypeople

Feb 14, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Catholic cardinal of Quebec said Tuesday that pastors are to be shepherds who help their people grow in a... Read more

Cardinal Willem Eijk

Gender theory confusion shows need for papal encyclical, Dutch cardinal says

Nov 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Extreme forms of gender theory have become so influential that a papal encyclical should address the topic, Dutch Cardinal Willem... Read more

The 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland.

What is the World Meeting of Families 2022? A CNA Explainer

Jun 16, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The international gathering will be held in Rome on June 22-26. Read more

The official logo of the 2022 World Meeting of Families in Rome.

Vatican unveils schedule for the 2022 World Meeting of Families in June

May 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The 10th World Meeting of Families will be held in Rome on June 22-26. Read more

A detail from a painting of Marthe Robin (1902-1981).

Papal delegate to govern group co-founded by French Catholic mystic

Feb 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Foyers de Charité movement was founded by Marthe Robin and Father Georges Finet. Read more

Vatican announces launch of Catholic ‘global compact’ on the family

Aug 6, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The project is part of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year. Read more

Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik, S.J., with the official image of the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome.

Vatican unveils official image of 2022 World Meeting of Families

Jul 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

The image was created by the Slovenian Jesuit Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik. Read more

Pope Francis visits the San Raffaele Borona assisted living home in Rieti, Italy, Oct. 4, 2016.

Pope Francis to elderly: The Church needs your prayers like ‘a deep breath’

Jun 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope released a message ahead of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Read more

Amoris laetitia webinar equips leaders to build up sacramental marriages in the Church

Jun 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

Organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, the four-day webinar centered on the question: "Where do we stand... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Vatican imposes term limits for leaders of ecclesial movements to stop ‘violations and abuses’

Jun 11, 2021

By CNA Staff

The norms, signed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, come into force on Sept. 11. Read more

World Youth Day in Krakow, July 2016.

Vatican asks dioceses to promote local World Youth Day celebrations

May 18, 2021

By Courtney Mares

World Youth Day is celebrated annually at the diocesan level, as well as every few years at big international gatherings. Read more

Feet of a newborn baby in an incubator.

Vatican offers online book for parents facing difficult prenatal diagnosis

May 29, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has published a free book online that can be a resource for parents facing a difficult or fatal... Read more

Pope Francis addresses participants in the international congress 'The Richness of Many Years of Life' in the Vatican's Sala Regia, Jan. 31, 2020.

Pope Francis: Grandparents provide crucial link to faith in secularized societies

Jan 31, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Grandparents can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the faith is passed on to their grandchildren in secularized societies,... Read more

Pope Francis meets staff of the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life Nov. 16, 2019.

Pope Francis: Women’s voices are needed in Vatican leadership

Nov 16, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Saturday that more women are needed in positions of leadership in the Vatican.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience April 20, 2016.

Pope Francis: 'Abortion is never the answer'

May 25, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Saturday that abortion is never the answer to difficult prenatal diagnoses, calling selective abortion of the disabled... Read more