FILIPINO CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle presided over a Vatican Mass in place of Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, Oct. 14, delivering the recovering pontiff’s homily on supporting vulnerable families.
The Mass at St. Peter’s Square concluded a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis’ apostholic exhortation on love in the family.
Published in 2016, Amoris laetitia, or “The Joy of Love,” offers guidance on marriage and family life.
Tagle, who was recently elected dean of the College of Cardinals, read the homily prepared by Leo, who is currently recovering at Rome’s Gamelili Hospital following lung surgery.
As dean, the Filipino prelate coordinates the activities of the College of Cardinals without exercising governing authority over its other members.
‘Nurture love and prayer within families’
In the homily read by Tagle, Leo called for care and affection toward families experiencing difficulties, emphasizing that wounded families can always grow anew through love.
He highlighted the importance of welcoming children as gifts and remaining attentive to their education, growth and development.
“The world has no future without strong families open to the gift of children and attentive to their education and growth,” he said, describing families as essential to the foundation of Christian values and “a beacon for the good of humanity.”
The Pope reminded the faithful to live out the Christian values of marriage and family as children first learn love and prayer during childhood.
“This is the true love that, in a particular way, we are urged to teach to young people preparing for marriage, instructing them about ‘the importance of the virtues,’ among which a special place is given to chastity, which is ‘invaluable for the genuine growth of love between persons,” he said through Tagle.
While acknowledging the value of parish marriage preparation programs, Leo explained that these cannot replace education on love that begins in childhood
He said that learning to love takes time. Citing Amoris laetitia, he said experiences within the family should help young people develop the capacity for a lifelong commitment.
The Pope also encouraged families to attend Sunday Mass together, saying that shared prayer and the sacraments open families to God’s help, which will aid them in facing difficulties together.
Pope’s recovery
Pope Leo XIV’s recovery was progressing as expected, with postoperative blood tests and a chest X-ray yielding results within the expected range, the Holy See Press Office reported on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
“His recovery is proceeding as expected,” said the medical update issued by Dr. Luigi Carbone and Prof. Stefano Margaritora.
The pontiff underwent respiratory physiotherapy, began walking around his room and resumed eating normally, having breakfast and lunch following the operation.
Doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung on Oct. 13. An examination done on the tissue during the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.
The operation was successful and had no complications, according to the medical statement released by the press office
The Vatican maintains that the Pope might be hospitalized for about a week, with further examinations of the removed tissue planned.
Ahead of the surgery, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera urged bishops and priests to offer masses for the pontiff’s successful operation and recovery.
“Let us pray that the Lord may guide his surgeons and all who care for him,” Garcera said.
The Lipa archbishop also encouraged religious communities, families and other Catholics to offer the Rosary, daily sacrifices and acts of charity for the Pope’s healing. F
