Dicastery for the Laity Family and Life

The Latest

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

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

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

The next World Meeting of Families will focus on holiness in married vocation

May 17, 2019

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Friday that the next World Meeting of Families will focus on the vocation of married life as... Read more

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, speaks at a press conference at the Holy See Press Office, Jan. 25, 2018.

Vatican official hopes World Meeting of Families will promote family values

Jan 25, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Kevin Farrell is in charge of the World Meeting of Families being held in August, and he has said... Read more