---
title: Pope Leo XIV Emphasizes Family Welfare and Protection of Unborn Life
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/pope-leo-xiv-emphasizes-family-welfare-and-protection-of-unborn-life
published: 2026-10-24T13:49:17+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/zh/pope/news/2026-10/pope-leo-xiv-general-audience-family-marriage-abortion.html
organizations: Catholic Church
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Pope Leo XIV Emphasizes Family Welfare and Protection of Unborn Life

Pope Leo XIV held a general audience on Wednesday, October 21, where he addressed the importance of marriage and family as the foundation of society.

The event took place at St. Peter's Square. The Pope expressed gratitude to the faithful for their prayers and support during his recent five day stay at Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent lung surgery.

During the audience, the Pope continued his catechesis on the Pastoral Constitution Gaudens Inter Ecclesiam, specifically focusing on urgent contemporary issues. He stated that the well being of individuals, society, and the church is closely linked to happy marriage and family life. He described the family as the foundation of society and a school for cultivating rich humanity.

Pope Leo XIV called upon those with social responsibilities, particularly in political and cultural spheres, to cooperate in improving marriage and family life. He noted that this task is more urgent now than ever before.

Regarding the nature of marriage, the Pope described it as a covenant of mutual giving and a close union of love between a husband and wife. He stated that this union makes the couple one, forming the basis for an indissoluble and faithful bond that is manifested in the procreation and education of children.

He further explained that marital love involves the entire will of the couple, expressed through affection and tenderness. He characterized children as a wonderful grace of marriage and described spouses as collaborators and interpreters of divine love when they welcome life.

Addressing the protection of life, the Pope asserted that life must be carefully protected from the beginning of pregnancy. He called for the avoidance of abortion and the killing of infants, stating that there is no contradiction between the divine law supporting procreation and the law promoting true marital love.

## This story in other languages

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