From October 7 to 14, 2026, the Vatican hosted the conference “Ten Years After Amoris Laetitia: Proclaiming the Gospel to Families Today.” It was convened by Pope Leo XIV to bring together leaders of the Eastern Catholic Churches and the presidents of episcopal conferences from around the world, along with families, experts, and facilitators. Among the facilitators was a Daughter of Jesus, María Luisa Berzosa, fi.
What is *Amoris Laetitia*?
Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of Love”) is the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation that Pope Francis issued on March 19, 2016, following the Synods on the Family in 2014 and 2015. Chapter VIII proposes three verbs for pastoral care of families facing complex situations: to accompany, to discern, and to embrace fragility.
A gathering to discern together
Leo XIV announced this call in his message of March 19, 2026, marking the tenth anniversary of the Exhortation. He sought a synodal discernment, based on mutual listening, on how to proclaim the Gospel to families today, taking into account what is already being lived out in the local Churches.
The methodology was that of “conversation in the Spirit”: roundtable discussions, prayer, silence, and sharing. The work was organized around five themes:
- Families Today: Reality, Beauty, and Challenges.
- Young People and the Discovery of Their Vocation to Marriage.
- Married Life: The First Five Years—A Crucial Time.
- In the face of life’s challenges: to accompany and support.
- Christian families: the agents of the Church’s mission.
The Words of Pope Leo XIV
In his opening address on October 7, the Pope recalled that *Amoris Laetitia* was an important milestone on the Church’s journey and that this past decade is now an integral part of the life of the particular Churches, which have accompanied families in very different circumstances. He also emphasized the role of the laity—and families in particular—in the Church’s mission.
In his homily during the closing Mass on October 14, the Pope suggested viewing the love lived out in the family as the first school of affection. He praised the quiet, sometimes heroic, fidelity of so many families and encouraged the Church to grow as a “family of families,” where even those going through times of crisis can find support without prejudice. He also emphasized the importance of prayer in the home and entrusted all families to the Holy Family of Nazareth.
During those days, the Assembly supported the Pope with their prayers while he was in the hospital.
A Daughter of Jesus at the Gathering
María Luisa Berzosa, Daughter of Jesus, experienced these sessions as a facilitator and shares her reflections with us. Here are some excerpts from her testimony published in *Revista Vida Nueva*:
I have been asked to write about my feelings and reflections on this experience. The first thing that comes to mind is the observation—with a good dose of amazement—that challenges are universal; although they vary slightly depending on the context, there are common themes that cut across different societies and are consistent.
If there is one insight that has guided us throughout this process, it is the conviction that we need to accompany people in their diverse realities. In the same vein, we must welcome—without judging, much less condemning—all the different ways people experience family life. And alongside this support, we must discern in each case what form that support will take, ensuring it is never lacking in mercy and compassion.
To learn more
We also provide some links to articles published about this event in various media outlets.
Conference on *Amoris Laetitia*: “New Answers to New Questions”
The Pope Concludes the Meeting on *Amoris Laetitia*: “Continue to Proclaim the Gospel with Families”
Sixth Day of the Summit on “Amoris laetitia”: Ministries Involving the Family
For personal or community reflection:
- What realities in the lives of the families I know—whether close to me or far away—need the most listening, acceptance, and nonjudgmental support today?
- What specific small action can I take—either personally or as part of my community—to value and care for the families that God places in my path?
A Living Legacy to Keep Growing
This gathering has served as a living and renewing reminder of the Apostolic Exhortation *Amoris Laetitia*: it reminds us of what was proposed to us ten years ago and invites us to reread it in light of today’s realities. May it help us grow in our appreciation of and commitment to the reality of families, so that we may accompany them, welcome them, and count on them as partners in the Church’s mission.
