Thousands of families, pro-family advocates await pope's Spain visit

Published: 2006-06-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI visits Valencia, Spain, July 8-9 to close the Fifth World Meeting of Families, thousands of families will have spent the week discussing ways they can better pass on their Christian faith to their children. Given the many challenges families face today, the July 1-9 meeting will act as a clearinghouse for experts, religious leaders and regular families from all over the world to pitch ideas and exchange experiences. But whatever initiatives or solutions participants agree on, they also will be eagerly looking forward to the pope's presence. Pope Benedict has made it known he was not going to travel as much as his predecessor, so many see his presence in Valencia as a strong sign of his support for families. The World Meeting of Families and the Pontifical Council for the Family were established by Pope John Paul II in 1981 when he published his apostolic exhortation, "Familiaris Consortio," on the role of the Christian family.

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