Rome Reports, September 15, 2015

World Meeting of Families: Pope will hear personal accounts of families who overcame hardships

The World Meeting of Families is being described as a family festival...a type of celebration of marriage, family and faith. Some describe it as type of World Youth Day for adults and couples.

The underlying theme in everything of course is faith. Pope Francis won't just be speaking to crowds...he will also do plenty of listening.

LIZANNE MAGARITY PANDO, World Meeting of Families – "He will hear witness of five or six families from around the world that have had troubles and used their faith to overcoming their challenges and bringing joy to their families and becoming stronger.”

In addition to the Pope's visit from September 26th to the 27th, the Congress will include a long list of speakers, workshops and conferences that will address real life challenges that families go through as a couple and also as parents. Nothing is off limits.

FR JOHN MCINTYRE, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia (USA) – "Such as dealing with addiction in your family. Dealing with finances. Dealing with the real meaning of marriage, especially as you form your children and they get older and they are faced with a lot of challenges faced with contemporary culture, especially here in the West.”

Even though it's  all organised by the Catholic Church, all faiths are welcome. Speakers from other faiths will be taking part and even from different Christian denominations, like Protestant Pastor, Rick Warren from the Saddleback church.

MARY BETH YOUNT, World Meeting of Families – "He is presenting with Cardinal O' Malley for a keynote, so they are co-presenting, it’s going to be really exciting.”

This will mark the 8th World Meeting of Families and it's already triggering a lot of interest within the Catholic Church and even beyond.

LIZANNE MAGARITY- PANDO, World Meeting of Families – "This Holy Father has garnered a lot of conversation and discussion  in our faith, which I feel makes people interested in talking about it and learning more about it.”

The Congress portion of the WMF will run from September 22 to 25. Pope Francis will be present on September 26 and 27 when he will celebrate Mass.