Pope Leo XIV: Family is founded on 'stable union between a man and a woman'

Vatican City: Reaffirming Christian values, Pope Leo XIV on Friday, May 16, said that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman”. He also said that both the unborn and elderly enjoy 'dignity' as God’s creatures, imparting Catholic values on marriage and abortion at the beginning of his pontificate.

In Catholicism, "pontificate" primarily refers to the period a pope serves as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

In his first meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps, Pope Leo also urged the revival of multilateral diplomacy and the encouragement of interreligious dialogue in pursuit of peace.

The encounter, which traditionally takes place following a conclave, enables a new pope to meet with world government leaders before his official installation Mass on Sunday, May 18.

As per international law, the Holy See is a sovereign state with diplomatic ties to more than 180 nations and observer status at the UN.

Leo, a member of thea Augustinian religious order, has called for peace as a priority of his pontificate, from the first words he uttered on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, “Peace be with you all.”