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Amoris Laetitia ("The Joy of Love"): Welcome

Francis waving

Pope Francis waving

Pope Francis

Photo by Jeon Han, Korean Culture & Information Service. CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Comments and Suggestions

Comments & Suggestions

If you have comments or suggestions that will help make this guide more useful, please email them to Ted Bergfelt, Chair, CRRA Subject Guides Subcommittee, using the following link: Send Email

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Intro box

On April 7, 2016, Pope Francis released the apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), which addresses marriage, family, divorce and other important modern issues. While no changes in doctrine are asserted, Pope Francis calls for a new pastoral  and more humane tone in the Church in dealing with these issues, a more merciful stance, in keeping with the themes of the current Holy Year of Mercy. This guide brings together many sources of information and responsible opinion on this important and influential document.

Read the official English translation of "Amoris Laetitia"

Synod of Bishops Index (Holy See website)

Video of the press conference for the presentation of "Amoris Laetitia"

What is an "apostolic exhortation?"

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

From the USCCB

Wide-ranging Opinion

Wide-Ranging Opinion

These are in alphabetical order by the name of the publication in which they appear.

Holy Family

Sculpture of St. Joseph holding the child Jesus

St. Joseph and the Child Jesus

Church of Blanzac, Charente, France. Photo by JLPC. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons