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If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Life & Family General Audience, 21 October 2026

Pope Leo XIV thanks for prayers at general audience

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV thanked the faithful for their prayers during a general audience on October 21, 2026, marking his first appearance at the weekly gathering since undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right lung.

During his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's pastoral constitution, Gaudium et Spes, the pope discussed the importance of marriage and family as the foundation of society. He explained that the well-being of individuals and Christian communities is closely tied to the health of the family unit. Referring to the document, the pope described marriage as an intimate partnership of life and love based on a conjugal covenant where spouses mutually give themselves to one another.

The pope noted that marital love involves the whole will of the spouses and is expressed through tenderness and affection. He also identified children as the greatest gift of marriage, stating that parents have a responsibility to welcome, protect, and educate them.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

5 sources47 reports22 languages

Read it in English · தமிழ் · Română · Español · ትግርኛ · Polski · Čeština · ಕನ್ನಡ · Slovenčina · HY · Українська · العربية · Português · Deutsch · 한국어 · עברית · Italiano · 日本語 · Lietuvių · Slovenščina · Tiếng Việt · Malti

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More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 31, 9:46 AM PT · 30 sources Pope Leo XIV votes by mail in US midterm elections
  2. Oct 31, 9:45 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting
  3. Oct 31, 9:41 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV sets prayer intention for November 2026
  4. Oct 31, 9:31 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Francesco Cavina as Special Apostolic Visitator for Medjugorje
  5. Oct 31, 9:19 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV chooses theme for 101st World Mission Day
  6. Oct 31, 9:07 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with Italian municipalities' representatives
  7. Oct 31, 9:00 AM PT · 12 sources Pope Leo XIV receives Villanova University and University of Notre Dame pilgrimage
  8. Oct 31, 8:38 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV selects theme for 101st World Mission Day
  9. Oct 31, 8:29 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication
  10. Oct 31, 8:26 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Vatican AI conference participants
  11. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
  12. Oct 31, 8:15 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's charity reaches 2,000 children in Ukraine
  13. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV approves safeguards for Holy See employees
  14. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 Synod undersecretaries
  15. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections
  16. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 2 sources Bishop Arturo Eduardo Fajardo expects Pope Leo XIV to revive faith in Uruguay
  17. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV receives delegations from earthquake-affected municipalities in Central Italy
  18. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  19. Oct 31, 6:56 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV presented with book on Eucharistic miracle
  20. Oct 31, 6:17 AM PT · 39 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to Assisi peace meeting
  21. Oct 31, 5:34 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV approves Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi
  22. Oct 31, 5:33 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV names Martial Bernard bishop of Soissons
  23. Oct 31, 5:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 under-secretaries of the Synod
  24. Oct 31, 5:10 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Albania's bishops
  25. Oct 31, 4:45 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay

More coverage of Pope Leo XIV

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Earlier version, Thursday 22 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for prayers at general audience

Earlier version, Thursday 22 October

Pope Leo XIV gives general audience

Earlier version, Thursday 22 October

Pope Leo XIV resumes general audience

Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks for prayers at first general audience post-surgery

Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful at first general audience post-surgery

Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV thanks God and faithful for prayers at General Audience

Earlier version, Wednesday 21 October

Pope Leo XIV affirms the ‘unbreakable oneness’ of marriage at first general audience post-surgery

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 21, 1:14 AM Vatican News Pope at Audience: We must urgently protect families and marriage
  2. Oct 21, 2:42 AM Vatican News தமிழ் திருத்தந்தையின் புதன் பொது மறைக்கல்வி உரை!
  3. Oct 21, 2:59 AM Vatican News Română Leon XIV mulțumește pentru susținerea rugăciunilor
  4. Oct 21, 3:40 AM InfoVaticana Español León XIV retoma las audiencias generales tras su operación: «Gracias por el apoyo de sus oraciones»
  5. Oct 21, 3:39 AM Vatican News ትግርኛ ር. ሊ. ጳ.፣ ንስድራቤትን ሓዳርን ብህጹጽ ክንከላኸለሎም ኣሎና
  6. Oct 21, 3:38 AM Where Peter Is Morning Keys: Leo back at audience, thanks for prayers
  7. Oct 21, 3:21 AM Religión en Libertad Español El Papa agradece oraciones y habla del matrimonio como «donación» que exige «plena fidelidad»
  8. Oct 21, 4:45 AM Konferencja Episkopatu Polski Polski Papież Leon XIV: Dziękuję wam za wsparcie, jakim są wasze modlitwy
  9. Oct 21, 2:31 AM Vatican News Polski Leon XIV: dziękuję za wsparcie, jakim są wasze modlitwy
  10. Oct 21, 12:47 PM Niedziela Polski Dziękuję wam za wsparcie, jakim są wasze modlitwy
  11. Oct 21, 2:45 AM Církev.cz Čeština Lev XIV. při první generální audienci po operaci: Rodinu a manželství je třeba chránit
  12. Oct 21, 7:46 AM Vatican News ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಗದ್ಗುರುಗಳ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂದೇಶ: ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ವಿವಾಹವನ್ನು ನಾವು ತುರ್ತಾಗಿ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಬೇಕು.
  13. Oct 21, 1:22 AM Vatican News Slovenčina Katechéza: Rodina je školou ľudskosti a základom spoločnosti
  14. Oct 21, 11:20 PM TK KBS Slovenčina Katechéza Leva XIV.: Rodina je školou ľudskosti a základom spoločnosti
  15. Oct 21, 1:25 AM Vatican News HY Ամուսնութիւնն ու Ընտանիքը՝ «Առաւել հարուստ մարդկայնութեան դպրոց»․ Լեւոն Պապին Խորհրդածութիւնը
  16. Oct 21, 1:25 AM Vatican News Українська Папа: сімʼя – це школа людяності та фундамент суспільства
  17. Oct 21, 2:09 AM Vatican News العربية البابا لاون الرابع عشر: العائلة هي أساس المجتمع والمدرسة الأغنى للإنسانية!
  18. Oct 21, 3:45 AM Canção Nova Português Papa: o bem-estar da sociedade está intimamente ligado à família
  19. Oct 21, 2:39 AM Vatican News Deutsch Papst zu Ehe und Familie: Schule der Menschlichkeit
  20. Oct 21, 8:38 AM CBCP News Pope Leo affirms the ‘unbreakable oneness’ of marriage at first general audience post-surgery
  21. Oct 21, 8:11 AM Vatican News Español Audiencia general: Los agustinos expresan su afecto al Papa
  22. Oct 21, 7:25 AM National Catholic Register Pope Leo Affirms the ‘Unbreakable Oneness’ of Marriage at First General Audience Post-Surgery
  23. Oct 21, 8:42 AM Vatican News 한국어 [일반알현] 가정의 증진은 그 어느 때보다 시급하며, 잉태된 생명은 보호받아야 합니다
  24. Oct 21, 8:45 AM Vatican News עברית האפיפיור בקבלת הקהל: עלינו להגן בדחיפות על המשפחה ועל הנישואין
  25. Oct 21, 1:27 AM Vatican News Português Papa: obrigado a Deus pela generosidade e aos fiéis pelas orações
  26. Oct 21, 4:08 AM Aleteia Pope Leo: Thanks be to God for his generosity
  27. Oct 21, 4:45 AM Diocese of Mossoró Português Papa: obrigado a Deus pela generosidade e aos fiéis pelas orações
  28. Oct 21, 2:01 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Leone XIV: “grazie per il sostegno delle vostre preghiere”
  29. Oct 20, 5:00 PM Abouna Pope at Audience: We must urgently protect families and marriage
  30. Oct 21, 12:14 AM Diocese of Hallam Pope at Audience: We must urgently protect families and marriage
  31. Oct 21, 11:48 AM Diocese of Florianópolis Português Papa Leão agradece as orações recebidas
  32. Oct 21, 10:57 AM Diocese of Divinópolis Português Papa: obrigado a Deus pela generosidade e aos fiéis pelas orações
  33. Oct 21, 4:52 PM Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan 日本語 教皇レオ十四世、2026年10月21日、一般謁見演説 連続講話「第二バチカン公会議の諸文書」 Ⅳ．『現代世界憲章』（Gaudium et spes） 6．現代社会における家庭への取り組み（『現代世界憲章』47－52）（聖書朗読箇所：エフェ5・31－33）
  34. Oct 21, 1:16 AM Vatican News Lietuvių Trečiadienio katechezė: asmenų ir visuomenės klestėjimas susijęs su šeima
  35. Oct 21, 1:35 AM Famiglia Cristiana Italiano Leone: «La famiglia base della società. Scongiurare aborto e infanticidio»
  36. Oct 21, 4:04 AM Vatican News Slovenščina Kateheza: Prizadevanje za zakon in družino danes nujno bolj kot kdaj koli prej
  37. Oct 21, 3:55 AM RomaSette Italiano Il Papa: «Mai va scartata la vita umana»
  38. Oct 21, 1:31 AM Stacja7 Polski Papież po raz pierwszy po operacji wygłosił katechezę. „Aborcja i dzieciobójstwo powinny być odrzucone”
  39. Oct 21, 12:22 AM Diocese of Angra Português Papa agradece orações pela sua recuperação, em regresso às audiências gerais
  40. Oct 21, 1:22 AM Agência Ecclesia Português Vaticano: Papa agradece orações pela sua recuperação, em regresso às audiências gerais
  41. Oct 21, 3:13 PM Canção Nova Português Papa Leão XIV volta com as catequeses e agradece orações dos fiéis
  42. Oct 21, 7:43 PM Diocese of Ðà Nang Tiếng Việt Tiếp kiến chung 21/10/2026 – ĐTC Lêô XIV: Gia đình là “nền tảng của xã hội”
  43. Oct 21, 9:00 PM Archdiocese of Huê Tiếng Việt Tiếp kiến chung 21.10.2026 – ĐTC Lêô XIV: Gia đình là “nền tảng của xã hội”
  44. Oct 21, 10:22 PM Diocese of Bà Ria Tiếng Việt Tiếp kiến chung (21/10/2026) – ĐTC Lêô XIV: Gia đình là “nền tảng của xã hội”
  45. Oct 21, 2:05 AM Aleteia Polski Leon XIV przypomniał, że małżeństwo jest „szkołą pełniejszego człowieczeństwa”
  46. Oct 21, 9:53 AM Eparchy of Wrocław-Koszalin Polski СІМʼЯ – ЦЕ ШКОЛА ЛЮДЯНОСТІ ТА ФУНДАМЕНТ СУСПІЛЬСТВА – СВЯТІШИЙ ОТЕЦЬ ПАПА ЛЕВ XIV – КАТЕХИЗА, ПРИСВЯЧЕНА КОНСТИТУЦІЇ «GAUDIUM ET SPES» ПРО…
  47. Oct 22, 12:13 AM Knisja Maltija Malti Pope at Audience: We must urgently protect families and marriage

More on Pope Leo XIV

  1. Oct 31, 9:46 AM PT · 30 sources Pope Leo XIV votes by mail in US midterm elections
  2. Oct 31, 9:45 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV receives participants in Pontifical Academy for Life meeting
  3. Oct 31, 9:41 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV sets prayer intention for November 2026
  4. Oct 31, 9:31 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Francesco Cavina as Special Apostolic Visitator for Medjugorje
  5. Oct 31, 9:19 AM PT · 9 sources Pope Leo XIV chooses theme for 101st World Mission Day
  6. Oct 31, 9:07 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV meets with Italian municipalities' representatives
  7. Oct 31, 9:00 AM PT · 12 sources Pope Leo XIV receives Villanova University and University of Notre Dame pilgrimage
  8. Oct 31, 8:38 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV selects theme for 101st World Mission Day
  9. Oct 31, 8:29 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication
  10. Oct 31, 8:26 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Vatican AI conference participants
  11. Oct 31, 8:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV: AI decisions on human life must never be delegated
  12. Oct 31, 8:15 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV's charity reaches 2,000 children in Ukraine
  13. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV approves safeguards for Holy See employees
  14. Oct 31, 8:00 AM PT · 13 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 Synod undersecretaries
  15. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 14 sources Pope Leo XIV casts ballot in US midterm elections
  16. Oct 31, 7:31 AM PT · 2 sources Bishop Arturo Eduardo Fajardo expects Pope Leo XIV to revive faith in Uruguay
  17. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 8 sources Pope Leo XIV receives delegations from earthquake-affected municipalities in Central Italy
  18. Oct 31, 7:30 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Peru
  19. Oct 31, 6:56 AM PT · 2 sources Pope Leo XIV presented with book on Eucharistic miracle
  20. Oct 31, 6:17 AM PT · 39 sources Pope Leo XIV sends video message to Assisi peace meeting
  21. Oct 31, 5:34 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV approves Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi
  22. Oct 31, 5:33 AM PT · 5 sources Pope Leo XIV names Martial Bernard bishop of Soissons
  23. Oct 31, 5:23 AM PT · 4 sources Pope Leo XIV appoints 2 under-secretaries of the Synod
  24. Oct 31, 5:10 AM PT · 3 sources Pope Leo XIV meets Albania's bishops
  25. Oct 31, 4:45 AM PT · 6 sources Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay

More coverage of Pope Leo XIV

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