In the letter of convocation the Pope asked that the event provide families the opportunity to explore and study the thoughts and way of sharing the content of the Apostolic Exhortation "Amoris Laetitia".
The international event takes place every three years and reunites families from all over the world to celebrate, pray and reflect on the importance of marriage and the family; more specifically, it will focus on key issues such as:
- The role of technology in the family
- The consequences of conflicts on families and children
- Develop a more sustainable approach to the economy, work and the environment
- Faith and family
- Women's leadership roles at global and local level
- The role of scholastic and educational formation to help families get out of poverty.
In 1994 the first convocation was celebrated by Saint John Paul II. 24 years later, one can see how much families have changed; for this reason "the Church feels the need to say a word of truth and hope." The situation of families with serious problems causes disastrous consequences: "uprooted children, abandoned elderly people, orphaned children of living parents, disoriented adolescents and young people without rules."
Referring to these situations and to deal with the issue, the Holy Father used a very eloquent expression: "love is craft" and that is why the need to educate, train and accompany arises.
"I hope this occasion may result as a source of renewed encouragement for families all over the world," wrote Pope Francis. "It will remind us of the essential place of the family in the life of society and in building a better future for young people."
The Holy Father asks everyone to "pray so that this meeting is a moment of joy and serenity, a caress of the tender love of Jesus for all families, in truth, for every child of God."
