Pope Leo seeks status update of Francis’ divisive opening to divorced and remarried Catholics

Vatican City — A decade after Pope Francis sparked controversy within the Catholic Church with his outreach to divorced and civilly remarried individuals, Pope Leo XIV is convening church leaders in Rome next week to assess the implementation of Francis’ 2016 document, "The Joy of Love." Vatican officials emphasized on Friday that the document is not up for revision, amendment, or abandonment, but rather serves as a framework for bishops to integrate its teachings into their respective communities.

"The Joy of Love" addresses various aspects of ministering to modern families, but its release provoked debate due to the provision that allows civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. According to church doctrine, individuals in this situation must obtain an annulment, a formal declaration from the Church that their prior marriage was invalid, before they can partake in sacraments.