Several Cardinals at the conclave are associated with the Pontifical Council for the Family, either having guided it until a few months ago (this is the case of Cardinal Ennio Antonelli) or because they are currently members of the Presidency. It is as if, through them, ideally, all the families of the world with their lives, joys, sorrows and hopes, were present at the Conclave. In this spirit, we offer some of their beautiful words about the family.
Turning to Pope Benedict XVI, at the beginning of the VII World Meeting of Families in Milan (30 May - 3 June 2012): “Holy Father, we say thank you because your presence draws the attention of the media and of the institutions to the family. Above all, it gives us confidence and courage, because it shows how much the family is at the heart of the Church, or rather, at heart to God himself.” And, at the end of the meeting: “Christians and their families promise to commitment themselves to living, in accordance with the Gospel, the family, work and celebration. They will faithfully participate in Sunday Mass, to receive the love of Christ and bring it into their homes, into their workplaces, into all their relations and activities in daily life. May cohesion grow in society, harmony in families, the unity in the Church!”
