Pope: ‘Family love is a vocation and path to holiness'

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis on Sunday reminded Catholics that the Tenth World Meeting of Families (#WMOF22) will kick off in Rome on Wednesday, 22 June.

WMOF is the acronym for World Meeting of Families, created by Pope John Paul II in 1994.

Organized by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, the theme for this year’s edition is “Family Love: A Vocation and Path to Holiness”.

In place of a public worldwide gathering this year, it has been decided that the event be celebrated in all dioceses with local bishops, for a customized, local experience of formation, prayer and fellowship.

However, delegations from across the globe will be present from 22 to 26 June in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, representing Catholic families all over the world.

In keeping with tradition, the programme includes an international Theological-Pastoral Congress at the start and ending, in the presence of the Pope, with a vigil and Festival of Families along with a great final Eucharistic celebration.

Pope's words of thanks

Speaking after the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis noted that the Meeting will take place in Rome and at the same time throughout the world.

He thanked the bishops, parish priests and family pastoral workers who have called families to moments of reflection, celebration and festivity.