Pope Francis emphasised that the union between a man and a woman is "God's dream for his beloved creation," the foundation of God's design for the family.
Addressing some 300 bishops from all corners of the world on Sunday at the opening of their Synod, the head of the 1.2-billion strong Roman Catholic Church said God's concept of marriage is clearly mentioned in the Gospel for Mark, when Jesus says "From the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female,'" the Catholic News Agency reported.
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh," the Pope said during the opening Mass for the Synod, which will be held up to Oct. 25.
Pope Francis did not directly address the challenges facing the Christian concept of marriage, specifically the growing acceptance of same-same marriages in some parts of the world, including the United States.
The Pope did refer, however, to the problems facing today's married couples. He said the Church should refrain from making quick judgments on couples facing marital woes, likening the Church to a mother who doesn't point fingers or judges her children, as their marriages fail.
The Church must "seek out and care for hurting couples with the balm of acceptance and mercy," he said, according to the Gospel Herald.
Although he did not directly mention gay marriage, the Pope said the Church cannot be "swayed by passing fads or popular opinion."
Pope Francis said a person "who falls or errs must be understood and loved," adding that "the Church must search out these persons, welcome and accompany them."
He warned that "a Church with closed doors betrays herself and her mission, and, instead of being a bridge, becomes a roadblock."
Pope Francis was apparently referring to Catholics who have divorced and remarried in civil ceremonies. The Church still regards these Catholics as still married to their first spouse and thus living in a state of sin and barred from receiving sacraments such as communion. However, some bishops are in favour of relaxing the rules on receiving sacraments to reach out to these Catholics who have "erred."
Pope Francis made it quite clear that he supports such changes. Last month, he even took it upon himself to expedite the marriage annulment process for Catholics. Moreover, the pope told Church leaders to be more welcoming of divorced couples.
