Dear families,

It is with great joy that I address this message to all those taking part in this National Symposium, organized by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil at the Casa da Mãe Aparecida, a place of special meaning for all Brazilians and indeed for Catholics throughout the world. I feel a deep connection with you and with the work you are carrying out together, through each person’s prayer and reflection, on a subject of such great importance: the family.

The Church teaches that the family is the “primary and essential cell of society” (Pius XII, Summi pontificatus, 47) and, for this reason, must be protected and promoted. Called to proclaim God’s love in today’s world, this unique community of persons formed by a man and a woman, so united in love that they become “one flesh” (Gen 2:24), only fully understands its identity when it looks to the Lord Jesus and the sacrifice He made of Himself on the cross for the sake of His Bride, the Church (cf. Eph 5:21–33; Saint John Paul II, Familiaris consortio, 13). It is in Christ that we learn to see the image of God in others, loving our neighbour as He loved us (cf. Jn 13:34).

However, we must look upon families with realism and compassion, aware of the countless difficulties that afflict them—that is, their fragilities, crises, anxieties and so many other situations of suffering. All this requires of the Church and pastoral workers a merciful approach and a prudent and mature discernment (cf. Francis, Amoris laetitia, Chapter VIII).

Let us therefore look to the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The small yet fundamental virtues of the home in which Jesus was born and grew up, learning from Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary, must serve as an inspiration and model for all our homes and be the source from which true peace is sought. Indeed, as Benedict XVI pointed out, the family plays a primary and indispensable role as a “teacher of peace” (Message for the World Day of Peace, 1 January 2008, 3).

In view of this, dear brothers and sisters, as a pledge of the most abundant heavenly gifts and through the intercession of Our Lady of Aparecida, Queen and Patroness of Brazil, I send my blessing to the Bishops, to the participants in this Symposium and to all families.

God bless you!

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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 30 May 2026