Pope says Christian families must work to safeguard other families

Published: 2007-11-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Each Christian family has a vocation to reach out and support other families and to work for political policies that respect and safeguard the family, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Before the many social and economic, cultural and religious challenges that contemporary society must face," he said, strong families that reach out to others are "a sign of hope and an encouragement." The pope met Nov. 3 with members of the Focolare movement's New Families section, which was celebrating its 40th anniversary. Some 800,000 families in 182 countries follow the New Families program of spiritual growth, mutual support and outreach to others. Pope Benedict said their commitment helps Christian families live their vocation "to be a privileged space where the beauty of placing Jesus Christ at the center and faithfully following the Gospel is proclaimed through daily life."

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .