Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation: Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love)

Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love)

Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, “Amoris Laetitia," presents, at considerable length, his reflections and discernment based upon the two synods devoted to the Catholic understanding of marriage and family life. While LGBTQ people were cautiously optimistic that the Vatican’s two-year discernment of the Catholic family would result in a document reflecting a definitive move toward a more LGBTQ-inclusive and accepting Church, the 256-page Apostolic Exhortation released by the Vatican was a disappointment. The good news is that the Papal document pays scant direct attention to LGBTQ issues, focusing on other matters the Vatican views as integral to the family. While Pope Francis dismisses the blessing of our unions, he does not explicitly call for exclusion. While he raises questions about gender and biology, the Exhortation doesn’t deliver firm answers. And he also speaks specifically to avoiding “every sign of unjust discrimination ... particularly any form of aggression and violence.”

Read HRC's Statement on the Vatican’s Report On Catholic Family Life

Explore in Depth

• Can "Amoris Laetitita" Be a Starting Point for Progress on LGBTQ Issues?
• “Amoris Laetitia” Is a Step in Process that Is Far From Over, Say Commentators
• Some Hope But Not Much Joy for LGBTQ Catholics in Pope’s ‘Joy of Love’ Document
• Vatican Document on Families Disappoints, But LGBTQ Faithful Commit to Working Toward Full Inclusion
• LGBTQ-Related Excerpts from ‘Amoris Laetitia’
• Official stances of the Roman Catholic Church on LGBTQ Issues

Resources

• Best of the Worst (2014)
• Who are my Brothers? (2015)

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact Lisbeth Meléndez Rivera, Director of Latino and Catholic Initiatives, at lisbeth.mr@hrc.org.