Author Topic: Has a Pope ever encouraged separated spouses to strive toward reunion? (Read 2400 times)

Geremia · « **on:** October 15, 2015, 09:07:45 PM »

Has a Pope ever encouraged, such as in an official letter or audience, separated spouses to strive toward reunion?

(cf. the related Christianity StackExchange thread.)

Geremia · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2015, 10:06:40 PM »

related: Pope Francis should support abandoned spouses of Catholic marriages

Geremia · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2015, 11:27:07 PM »

According to the only movie made on Pope St. Pius X, Gli Uomini Non Guardano Il Cielo (@37:52 f.), when he was patriarch, he privately visited the countess of Venice, who had undergone a secret divorce. He encouraged her to embrace her cross and reunite with her husband, even if he was "un cattivo marito" ("a bad husband"), in order to lead him to Christ.

Does anyone have another source to verify that Pope St. Pius X did in fact visit the countess?

For those who know Italian, here is the scene:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ekKxK8ZGDk[/youtube]
It is my favorite scene of this 1½ hour film.

poche · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2015, 12:06:01 AM »

I remember when Vincente Fox, the then president of Mexico made a state visit to the Vatican and met with Pope John Paul II and asked him about his annulment situation. His Holiness replied that the Church does not do annulments for heads of state. He also recommended an attempt at reconciliation.

Geremia · « **Reply #4 on:** October 16, 2015, 12:32:42 AM »

Quote from: poche

I remember when Vincente Fox, the then president of Mexico made a state visit to the Vatican and met with Pope John Paul II and asked him about his annulment situation. His Holiness replied that the Church does not do annulments for heads of state. He also recommended an attempt at reconciliation.

That's interesting. Do you have any sources backing up your statements? thanks