Pope Leo XIV delivers a powerful message on traditional marriage and family values during a Jubilee celebration that drew 70,000 faithful from around the globe to the Vatican.

At a Glance

• Pope Leo XIV celebrated a special Jubilee for families at St. Peter’s Square with over 70,000 attendees from 131 countries
• The Pope emphasized marriage as “a love that is total, faithful and fruitful” between a man and a woman
• His message highlighted the family’s crucial role in passing on faith and Christian values to future generations
• The Jubilee homily referenced Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “Humanae Vitae” and traditional Catholic teachings on marriage
• The event coincided with the beginning of June, which the Pope dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

A Powerful Defense of Traditional Marriage

Pope Leo XIV delivered a resolute defense of traditional marriage and family values during a special Jubilee celebration at St. Peter’s Square on June 1, 2025. Speaking to an audience of more than 70,000 faithful from 131 countries, the pontiff emphasized the vital importance of the marriage covenant in today’s increasingly divided world. The three-day event, which concluded Sunday, focused on families, children, grandparents, and the elderly as the foundation of Christian life and society.

In his homily, Pope Leo XIV referenced Pope Paul VI’s landmark encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” defining marriage in clear traditional terms. The timing of the event was particularly significant, occurring at the start of June, a month dedicated by Catholics to the Sacred Heart of Jesus but increasingly recognized in secular society for celebrating sexual diversity. The Pope’s words offered a counterbalance by affirming Catholic teaching on the sanctity of traditional marriage.

A family's love grounded in Christ is a sign of peace for the world, Pope Leo XIV said, concluding the Jubilee of Families. He highlighted the role of marriage, family unity & God's love in building peace and harmony in the world. (CNS photos/Lola Gomez) pic.twitter.com/nd49qhnwQG

— Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) June 1, 2025

The Family as God’s Blueprint for Society

The Pope’s message centered on the unique role of the family in God’s design for humanity. He described families as “the cradle of the future of humanity” and emphasized their irreplaceable function in transmitting faith across generations. At a time when traditional family structures face unprecedented challenges, Pope Leo XIV’s words offered clear guidance for Catholics seeking to live out their faith in an increasingly secular world.

“Today’s world needs the marriage covenant in order to know and accept God’s love and to defeat, thanks to its unifying and reconciling power, the forces that break down relationships and societies.”, states Pope Leo XIV.

The Jubilee celebration highlighted the Catholic Church’s continued recognition of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Pope Leo XIV pointed to recent examples of married couples who had been beatified and canonized together – including Louis and Zélie Martin (the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux) and the Ulma family, who were martyred during World War II for sheltering Jews – as evidence of the sanctity possible within married life.

A Call to Parents, Children and Grandparents

The Pope’s message contained specific guidance for each member of the family. Parents were encouraged to demonstrate integrity in their actions, serving as living examples of the values they wish to instill in their children. He emphasized the importance of educating children in freedom through loving discipline and recognizing the inherent goodness in each child. This approach stands in stark contrast to increasingly permissive parenting styles promoted in contemporary society.

Children were urged to honor their parents through expressions of gratitude, acknowledging the gift of life they’ve received. Grandparents and the elderly were recognized for their essential role in providing wisdom, compassion, and patience within the family structure. In his comprehensive vision of family life, Pope Leo XIV reinforced the interdependence of generations and the sacred responsibility each member bears toward the others.

Affirming Marriage as Divine Design

Perhaps most powerfully, the Pope described marriage in terms that clearly affirmed traditional Catholic teaching on sexuality and procreation. At a time when many religious leaders have softened their stance on such matters, Pope Leo XIV’s words stood out for their clarity and conviction. He explicitly defined marriage as the union of man and woman, ordered toward creating new life in cooperation with God’s creative power.

The Jubilee celebration concluded with a message of hope, reminding the faithful that despite challenges in living out these ideals, Jesus continues to offer forgiveness and reconciliation. The Pope’s words offered both challenge and encouragement to Catholic families seeking to live authentic Christian lives in an increasingly secular world that often rejects traditional values of faith, family and marriage.