Pope Leo XIV backs traditional marriage, urges family-focused governance

In his first significant remarks since ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s long-held teaching on marriage as a union between a man and a woman, while calling on global leaders to build civil societies rooted in family values and human dignity.

Speaking Friday during a private audience with members of the Vatican diplomatic corps—a customary engagement for new pontiffs—the newly elected pope set a clear tone for his papacy. His address came just two days ahead of his formal installation Mass on Sunday.

“It is the responsibility of government leaders to work to build harmonious and peaceful civil societies,” Pope Leo XIV declared. “This can be achieved above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.”

The pontiff emphasized that the family, as understood in the Church’s teachings, is the cornerstone of social stability. He argued that safeguarding the institution of marriage is essential for nurturing future generations and promoting the common good.

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A Message of Dignity and Moral Responsibility

Pope Leo XIV also used the occasion to reiterate the Church’s unwavering opposition to abortion, stressing the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

He called on nations to protect the most vulnerable, including the unborn, the elderly, and migrants, asserting that human dignity is a universal value that transcends political, cultural, and religious boundaries.

“Respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most vulnerable, is a universal obligation from which no one is exempted,” he said, urging world leaders to uphold these principles in their policymaking.

The pope further highlighted the importance of safeguarding religious freedom, framing it as a fundamental right essential to the flourishing of pluralistic societies. He warned against the marginalization of faith communities and signaled his intent to be a bridge-builder in an increasingly polarized world.

In a gesture of openness, Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to inter-religious dialogue, expressing a desire for continued cooperation among world faiths in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding.

Though only days into his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV’s address marks a decisive start to his leadership, reaffirming core Catholic teachings while extending a call for global moral renewal.

With the eyes of the world on him ahead of his formal installation, the new pontiff has made it clear that his papacy will seek to balance fidelity to Church doctrine with an active engagement in the world’s most pressing social and ethical challenges.