Synod on the Family

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks to journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

No controversy here – Pope sets record straight on family synod remarks

Jul 13, 2015

By Ann Schneible

During a press briefing on the return flight from South America, Pope Francis clarified that his call for prayer ahead... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the North American College in Rome, May 2, 2015.

Pray that the family synod will deepen the Church's spiritual discernment, Pope asks

Jul 6, 2015

During a Mass said on Monday, the first full day of his visit to Ecuador, Pope Francis called for prayers... Read more

Blesseds Louis and Zelie Martin, who will be canonized Oct. 18, 2015.

Pope officially paves the way for Saint Therese's parents to be canonized

Jun 27, 2015

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis formally approved on Saturday the decrees necessary for Blesseds Louis and Zelie Martin – known for being the... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, June 24, 2015.

For Archbishop Chaput, Vatican synod, Philly family meeting providentially linked

Jun 25, 2015

By Alan Holdren

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia sees a providential link between September’s World Meeting of Families and October’s Synod on the... Read more

Participants in the 2014 synod depart the the Vatican's Synod Hall, October 13, 2014.

Synod on the Family's working document sets the stage for spirited discussion

Jun 24, 2015

That the discussion at October's Synod on the Family is going to be a lively one is indicated by the... Read more

Opening session of the Synod of Bishops, Oct. 6, 2014.

Synod guiding document: families need the Church's message of mercy

Jun 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

The document set to guide this year’s synod discussions on the family touches on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and... Read more

Marriage: God's Design for Life and Love screenshot.

Clearing up the confusion: New film sheds light on beauty, truth of marriage

Jun 21, 2015

Ahead of the highly anticipated Synod on the Family in October, many dioceses and Catholic media producers are finding new... Read more

Top US bishops unwavering in support of traditional marriage ahead of Synod

Jun 17, 2015

By Mary Farrow

In their spring general assembly held last week, just four months before the Synod on the Family in Rome, top... Read more

Married couples to Catholic Church: Give us clear, positive teaching on marriage

Jun 14, 2015

By Mary Farrow

Alice Heinzen was with her dad and siblings on a ski trip when she froze on top of what looked... Read more

Pope Francis with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

Pope Francis to parents: Do you believe in the beauty of love?

Jun 14, 2015

By Elise Harris

In an address on Sunday, Pope Francis asked parents if they believed in the beauty of the love God gives... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, April 22, 2015.

Pope receives briefing on activities at Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts

Jun 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his visit to the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts last week, Pope Francis was updated on the office's important... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and other Eastern Catholic bishops gathered at St. Peter's Square, Nov. 27, 2013.

Polish, Eastern Catholic bishops stand firm on pastoral care for families

Jun 9, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

During recent meetings which were held separately, both the Polish bishops and the Eastern Catholic bishops from Europe have discussed... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the Vatican during the Synod on the Family, Oct. 13, 2014.

Cardinal Müller warns against adapting Church to today's often pagan lifestyles

Jun 9, 2015

Cardinal Gerhard Müller has spoken out firmly against trying to adapt the Church’s teaching to today’s often pagan lifestyles, saying... Read more

Bishop Heiner Koch, who was appointed Archbishop of Berlin June 8, 2015.

Bishop Heiner Koch, a German delegate to Family Synod, appointed Berlin archbishop

Jun 8, 2015

The Vatican confirmed on Monday, June 8 that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Heiner Koch of Dresden-Meissen as Archbishop of... Read more

African, European bishops' meeting promotes an authentic 'joy of the family'

A group of bishops from across Africa and Europe met last weekend pledging to redouble their efforts in favor of... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, one of the leaders of the secretive May 25 meeting, at the Holy See press office, Oct. 17, 2014.

Why did most of the journalists at the 'shadow council' fail to report on it?

Jun 4, 2015

Since only one quarter of the media representatives present at last week's closed-door meeting of German, French, and Swiss bishops... Read more

Not a burden, but a grace: The indissolubility of marriage

May 27, 2015

The sacrament of marriage, characterized as it is by indissolubility, is good news for the people of today, according to... Read more

As synod council meets, 'shadow council' pushes acceptance of gay unions

May 26, 2015

While the Synod of Bishops' ordinary council gathered to discuss the upcoming Synod on the Family this week, a private... Read more

Priests celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2015.

Hundreds of US priests ask Synod to stand firm on Church teaching

May 16, 2015

By Mary Farrow

Nearly 1,000 United States priests made their own a petition to the fathers of the upcoming Synod, originally made public... Read more

Cardinal Pell speaks at the Voice of the Family’s Rome Life Forum, Many 9, 2015.

Synod will endorse Church teaching on family – Cardinal Pell

May 9, 2015

By Elise Harris

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Vatican's Secretariat for the Economy, spoke this weekend on issues surrounding the family and... Read more