"DRIVING FORCE"

One could say, without exaggeration, that the family is the driving force of the world and of history.

THE FAMILY AND DIGNITY

In the family the person becomes aware of his or her own dignity and, especially if their upbringing is Christian, each one recognizes the dignity of every single person, in a particular way the sick, the weak and the marginalized.

FOUNDED ON MARRIAGE

... The family is founded on marriage. Through their free and faithful act of love, Christian spouses testify to the fact that marriage, insofar as it is a sacrament, is the foundation of the family and strengthens spousal union and the couple's mutual gift of self.

DARK FUTURE

A society that neglects children and marginalizes the elderly severs its roots and darkens its future... Caring for our little ones and for our elders is a choice for civilization. And also for the future, because the little ones, the children, the young people will carry society forward by their strength, their youth, and the elderly people will carry it forward by their wisdom, their memory, which they must give to us all.

"PATHWAYS FOR GROWTH"

Spousal and familial love also clearly reveals the vocation of the person to love in a unique way and forever, and that the trials, sacrifices and crises of couples as well as of the family as a whole represent pathways for growth in goodness, truth and beauty.

A COMPLETE GIFT OF SELF

In marriage we give ourselves completely without calculation or reserve, sharing everything, gifts and hardships, trusting in God's Providence. This is the experience that the young can learn from their parents and grandparents.

"GOOD NEWS"

The "Good News" of the family is a very important part of evangelization, which Christians can communicate to all by the witness of their lives; and already they are doing so, this is evident in secularized societies: truly Christian families are known by their fidelity, their patience, their openness to life, and by their respect for the elderly ... the secret to this is the presence of Jesus in the family.

"BE CLOSE TO EVERYONE"

Let us ... propose to all people with respect and courage, the beauty of marriage and the family illuminated by the Gospel! And in order to do this let us approach with care and affection those families who are struggling, forced to leave their homeland, broken, homeless or unemployed. Let us be close to everyone through the proclamation of this Gospel of the family, the beauty of the family.

(Source: Address to participants in the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, October 25, 2013)