As President of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC), Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez is currently in Rome joining Pope Leo XIV, heads of Eastern Catholic Churches, and Bishops’ Conference presidents from around the world for a major Vatican summit from October 7–14 in the Paul VI Audience Hall.

The weeklong meeting, themed “Ten years after Amoris laetitia: proclaiming the Gospel with families today,” marks a decade since the publication of Pope Francis’ landmark Apostolic Exhortation on family love.

A Shared Journey of Faith and Renewal

Opening the meeting on October 7, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that family life serves as a critical point of entry into the defining cultural, economic, and political challenges of our day. He urged Church leaders to listen closely to the real-life experiences of local communities, reflecting both on the fruits of the past decade and the complex realities families navigate today:

“Young people continue to long for love, fidelity and belonging, yet many find it difficult to embrace how such a vision of love can take shape in their own lives… Economic insecurity, migration, violence, loneliness and other forms of emotional fragility also shape the choices people make.” — Pope Leo XIV

The Holy Father underscored that families are active participants in the Church’s mission through their everyday acts of care, forgiveness, and faith transmission. He called on pastors to give special attention to human fragility, encouraging a pastoral presence rooted in patience, closeness, and mercy.

Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez shares a brief conversation with Pope Leo XIV during a break on the meeting’s opening day.

Looking Ahead

Throughout the week, participants are engaging in plenary sessions, small group discussions, and shared times of prayer to discern how the Church can renew its commitment to families worldwide.

According to Vatican News, the proceedings will conclude with a Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV and the release of a final summary report capturing the insights and recommendations developed during the gathering.

We invite the faithful across the Pacific to keep Archbishop Ryan, Pope Leo XIV, and all attending Church leaders in prayer during these significant days.

The participants to the meeting “Ten years after Amoris Laetitia” (VATICAN MEDIA)