Pope Leo XIV called on families to look to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the “perfect model” offered by God to navigate the challenges of modern life
Newsroom (19/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In an address to participants of the Jubilee Meeting organized by the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) on the future of the family, Pope Leo XIV called on families worldwide to look to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the “perfect model” offered by God to navigate the challenges of modern life. Speaking in the Vatican on Friday, September 19, 2025, the Pontiff emphasized the themes of jubilee, hope, and family, urging a return to the faith of previous generations and a renewed commitment to living out God’s love.
A Jubilee of Return to Faith
Reflecting on the significance of the Jubilee of Hope, Pope Leo XIV framed the concept of jubilee as a call to return to God, with Jesus at the center of family life. Drawing from the Old Testament tradition, where a jubilee signified a time of restoration and renewal, the Pope invited families to reconnect with the spiritual roots passed down through generations.
“We must understand this ‘return’ as a call to come back to God, to Jesus, the center of our lives,” he said. He evoked vivid imagery of “the persevering prayer of our grandmothers counting the beads of the rosary” and the “simple, humble, and honest lives” of parents and grandparents, which he described as the “leaven” that has sustained countless families and communities.
This return to faith, the Pope emphasized, is not merely a nostalgic exercise but a journey toward true joy found in Jesus Christ. “In Him, we find our true joy: the jubilation of knowing we are at home, in the place where we are meant to be,” he declared, underscoring that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
Addressing Modern Challenges
Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the profound difficulties facing families today, including poverty, migration, and violence. He called on both the Church and public institutions to prioritize the support and protection of family life, recognizing its foundational role in society. “The family is both a gift and a task,” he said, noting that God entrusts each family member—children, husbands, and wives—with a sacred responsibility to reflect His love, just as He entrusted His Son and Mother to Saint Joseph.
The Pontiff drew a parallel between the role of Saint Joseph and the mission of families today, urging them to serve as “a foundation, leaven, and witness of God’s love among humanity.” He invoked the words of Pope Saint Paul VI, spoken in Nazareth, encouraging families to emulate the Holy Family by “accompanying and supporting one another in silence, work, and prayer” to fulfill God’s plan of love for each person.
A Warning Against Worldly Temptations
In his remarks, Pope Leo cautioned against the temptation to build lives on “human securities and worldly expectations,” which he described as a dangerous departure from the path of faith. The Jubilee of Hope, he said, is a journey toward an encounter with God, who is the ultimate Truth. By anchoring themselves in this truth, families can find resilience amid life’s trials and uncertainties.
The Holy Family: A Beacon of Hope
Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV entrusted the intentions of the Jubilee Meeting participants to the intercession of the Holy Family, whom he described as “the perfect model God offers as a response to the desperate cry for help from families.” He expressed confidence that by imitating the example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, families can transform their homes into “living torches of God’s light.”
The Pope’s message resonated deeply with the attendees, who are gathered to discuss the future of the family in the context of the Church’s mission in Latin America and the Caribbean. His words served as both a spiritual exhortation and a practical call to action, urging families to draw strength from their faith and the timeless example of the Holy Family.
As the Jubilee of Hope continues, Pope Leo XIV’s vision for the family as a beacon of God’s love offers a powerful reminder of the Church’s enduring commitment to supporting families in their sacred vocation.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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