# Pope Leo XIV Urgently Protects Families and Marriage

> Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent protection of families and marriage after surgery, linking them to societal well-being.
- Title: Pope Leo XIV Urgently Protects Families and Marriage
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent protection of families and marriage after surgery, linking them to societal well-being. Pope Leo XIV urges protecting families…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, family, second vatican council, general audience, amoris laetitia, marriage, vatican news, religion, world, Pope, Leo, XIV
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-10/pope-leo-xiv-general-audience-family-marriage-gaudium-et-spes.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-21T08:14:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, family, second vatican council, general audience, amoris laetitia, marriage, vatican news, religion, world
## Pope Leo XIV Thanks for Prayers
Pope Leo XIV thanked supporters for their prayers after his surgery and renewed trust in God's goodness and mercy.

> The first thing I would like to say to you is: thank you! Thank you for the support of your prayers. Thanks be to God for His generosity. Let us all renew our trust in the goodness and mercy of God
## Pope Leo XIV Underwent Surgery
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on October 17 after five days in hospital following a lung operation on October 13.
## Family as Society's Foundation
Pope Leo XIV emphasized families as the foundation of society, crucial for social well-being and human dignity.
## Gaudium et Spes Focus
Pope Leo XIV focused on the 1965 Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, highlighting marriage and family as vital to society.
## Marriage and Family Urgency
Pope Leo XIV stressed the urgent need to protect marriage and family as they are crucial for societal well-being.

> This task is more urgent than ever before
## Spouses Become One
Pope Leo XIV described marriage as an intimate partnership where spouses become one through mutual self-giving and love.

> The mutual self-giving of man and woman, such that 'they are no longer two but one flesh', underlies the requirement for 'total fidelity' and the 'unbreakable oneness' of the spouses
## Transmission of Life
Pope Leo XIV emphasized the responsibility of transmitting life through children while preserving marital love and dignity.

> By transmitting and educating human life, which must never be rejected, spouses become 'cooperators with the love of God the Creator, and are, so to speak, the interpreters of that love'
## Pope Concludes Prayer
Pope Leo XIV prayed for the Holy Family of Nazareth to enlighten and protect families worldwide.

> The Holy Family of Nazareth may 'enlighten us on our journey and protect families throughout the world'
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV urges protecting families and marriage as the foundation of society, emphasizing their role in societal well-being.