In a letter dated February 2, 2014, and published by Vatican News on February 25, Pope Francis asks all the families in the world to pray for the next Synod of Bishops, which will take place in Rome from October 5-19, 2014. The theme of this Extraordinary Synod is “pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelization.”

In his letter, Pope Francis said: “Indeed, in our day the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel by confronting the new and urgent pastoral needs facing the family.”

He wrote that this “important meeting” will involve not only bishops and priests, but also consecrated men and women, “and lay faithful of the particular Churches of the entire world.” Because the Synod is dedicated to the topic of marriage and family, the Holy Father wrote to families, “I ask you, therefore, to pray intensely to the Holy Spirit, so that the Spirit may illumine the Synodal Fathers and guide them in their important task.”

Showing his interest in the pastoral care of the family, Pope Francis reminded readers that the Extraordinary Synod of 2014 will be followed by an Ordinary Synod in 2015 on the same topic. Also in 2015 will be the 8th World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The Pope said: “May we all, then, pray together so that through these events the Church will undertake a true journey of discernment and adopt the necessary pastoral means to help families face their present challenges with the light and strength that comes from the Gospel.”

Read the Pope’s letter to families.