Two years ago, Pope Francis, on a visit to South America, spoke off-script, to young people. He spoke directly to young people to look after their less fortunate peers and appealed to them to fight responsibility for the dignity of others. Then, he spoke one of his memorable – and controversial – remarks. He told young people: “Make a mess, but then also help to tidy it up.”

Well, the Holy Father has followed his own advice. He has made something of a mess. And he has done it on purpose. Last week, he published a lengthy document on the family. It’s a beautifully written and lengthy letter called “Amoris Laetitia,” The Joy of Love.

It is his official response to the meetings of bishops over the last two years. It is specifically addressed to “Bishops, priests, and deacons… Christian married couples and all the Faithful.” That in itself is unusual, since most papal documents are addressed only to bishops.

Pope Francis is very concerned that everyone has the experience of true love in the context of loving families. To say the ideal of the family is undergoing profound change is an understatement.

Most people have a certain image of what a family should be. It is an ideal where everything is perfect, sort of a Never-never Land where nothing bad ever happens.

No such place exists. Every family has its up and downs. Even the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. One of the titles of Mary is “Our Lady of Sorrows.” She shed many tears over the conduct of her son, not the least of which was his execution.

For a letter, the document is very long, 160 pages. It’s an important subject, since there are many topics that the Holy Father wants to address. Some chapters are directed to married couples, some to priests, and – in his own words – he has a chapter where “everyone should feel challenged.” That is now the famous Chapter Eight which he titles “Accompanying, Discerning and Integrating Weakness.”

In this chapter is a particular footnote where he offers couples in difficult situations the healing grace of confession and communion.

Those of you who have to write term papers understand how footnotes can be a pain. Yet, sometimes a footnote can be the main part of a document.

For example, some footnotes in the United States Supreme Court decisions have become famous. The most famous case was in 1938. It was about the regulation of skimmed milk. In the written decision is what has become known as “The Famous Footnote Four.” Seventy-five years after the original decision, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg recently used that footnote to defend affirmative action. That doctrine has to do with ensuring minorities equal access to educational and employment opportunities. It has nothing to do with skimmed milk.

The most footnotes in a literary work goers to the 18^th century Englishman Edward Gibbons. He wrote a 6-volume work entitled “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” It was published, ironically, in 1776 – in England. It contains 7,920 footnotes.

I want to quote Pope Francis’ footnote 351 in Chapter Eight, where he writes of the power of confession and communion.

The Holy Father writes “I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy.” He continues, “I would also point out that the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” The Pope is actually quoting himself. He has said these things before.

I would encourage discussion of this remarkably pastoral document, especially in theology classes. There is no new doctrine in this document. It is a pastoral encouragement on marriage, family, and suggested means to heal whatever needs to be healed in so many broken relationships.

Most of you students will someday have families of your own. You need to be well-prepared for the challenges you face in this modern world.

The Church is a “family of families” and it exists to offer mutual support and comfort for everyone. The Pope has made what he calls a mess. He likes to get people to think about things in a different way. He wants everyone to experience love in the family. And remember, there is no such thing as a perfect family. But love can heal any conflict. After all, God also lives in a family. It’s called the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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