Family

The Latest

Pope Francis greets locals at the Cross of Reconciliation in the Parque de los Fundadores in Villavicencio, Colombia on September 8, 2017.

Pope Francis: Parents cherishing their kids is a sign of hope for the future

Sep 11, 2017

On his return flight from Colombia, Pope Francis said that seeing parents’ devotion for their children gives him hope for... Read more

Wedding bands.

Amid rising divorce rates, Malawi bishops hold marriage conference

Aug 12, 2017

Divorce rates in Malawi have increased in the past few years, leading the local Catholic Church to emphasize the importance... Read more

Archbishop Charles Chaput speaks with CNA in Rome on Sept. 15, 2014.

Want to change the world? It starts with joy, Archbishop Chaput says

Jul 27, 2017

In a world that can sometimes seem disheartening, Christians have a path to the future in lives of joy and... Read more

Pat Klingbeil.

100 descendants and counting: The remarkable story of Pat Klingbeil

Jul 21, 2017

When most people hear about a stereotypical “large Catholic family,” they might picture a van that seats six or eight... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of Laity, family and Life, speaks with CNA on May 3, 2017.

Cardinal Farrell: Let's talk about the beauty of the family

May 6, 2017

By Elise Harris

The Vatican's point-man on family and life issues says rather than just complaining about problems we see in society, we... Read more

Don't send a mother who fled drug cartels back to Mexico, archdiocese pleads

Apr 8, 2017

U.S. immigration authorities should show mercy on a detained Catholic mother with a special needs child, who fled Mexico when... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a child in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, Dec. 9, 2015.

Love must be core of family life, Pope says ahead of World Meeting of Families

Mar 30, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis issued a message ahead of the 2018 World Meeting of Families (WMOF), saying couples and families should root... Read more

Pope Francis greets officials of the John Paul II Institute at the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Oct. 27, 2016.

Theology and pastoral care 'go hand in hand', Pope tells JPII Institute

Oct 27, 2016

Doctrine and theological reflection are to be formed by its evangelizing purpose and by pastoral concerns, Pope Francis told the... Read more

Princeton campus.

Princeton event to highlight healthy marriages as foundation of society

Oct 27, 2016

As the contentious 2016 campaign season draws to a close, hundreds of university students are coming together to focus on... Read more

March for the Family in Mexico, Sept. 24, 2016.

Mexicans flood the capital to defend marriage – with Pope Francis' blessing

Sep 26, 2016

Some 400,000 people filled the streets of Mexico City on Saturday to protest the Mexican government’s attempt to redefine marriage... Read more

Couple.

Vatican wades into sex education for young people

Aug 24, 2016

The Vatican recently rolled out a new sex education course designed to help parents and educators talk to teens about... Read more

Robert Spaemann before the obelisk in front of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome.

A follow-up from Robert Spaemann on Amoris Laetitia

Jun 20, 2016

In April, Robert Spaemann, emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Munich, attracted significant attention for an interview with... Read more

Chiara Corbella Petrillo with her son, Davide. Courtesy of Sophia Institute Press.

The sacrifice of Chiara Corbella Petrillo: 'Yes, Enrico, the Cross is very sweet'

Jun 14, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In a testimony at the Vatican’s Jubilee for the sick and disabled, the husband of the late Chiara Corbella Petrillo... Read more

Pope Francis walking out of the Paul VI Hall during the Synod on the Family, Oct. 9, 2015.

Pope approves new Vatican department for the Laity, Family, and Life

Jun 4, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has approved the institution of a new Vatican department dedicated to the family, the laity, and life.  Read more

Archbishop Charles Chaput speaks with CNA in Rome on Sept. 15, 2014.

Archbishop Chaput clarifies 'Amoris Laetitia' committee

Jun 1, 2016

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia described as “misleading” an article claiming that his leadership of a working group on the... Read more

Here's what the next World Meeting of Families will focus on

May 25, 2016

By Ann Schneible

“The Gospel of family, joy for the world.” This is the theme for the 2018 World Meeting of Families in... Read more

Press conference on post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia in Vatican City on April 8, 2016.

Integration requires conversion: reflections on Amoris laetitia

Apr 9, 2016

By Carl Bunderson

Reflecting on Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on love in the family, two professors at the John Paul II Institute have... Read more

Post Francis' post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia in Vatican City on April 8, 2016.

Interpreting Amoris Laetitia 'through the lens of Catholic tradition'

Apr 8, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While some passages in Pope Francis’ new document may be unclear and open to multiple interpretations, the correct view is... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a baby at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 7, 2015.

Pope Francis: Children are always gifts, even in tough circumstances

Apr 8, 2016

Pope Francis’ latest writings on the family include a strong affirmation of the need to welcome children even in difficult... Read more

Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy Vigil in St. Peter's Square, April 2, 2016.

No doctrine change from Pope Francis – but a call for better pastoral care

Apr 8, 2016

Catholics who have divorced-and-remarried need the fullness of Church teaching. They also need a wise pastoral and community response to... Read more