Leo XIV on the indissolubility of marriage

Address to the Tribunal of the Roman Rota

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

“The theme that guides us today is the tenth anniversary of the reform of the process of matrimonial nullity. . . .We might ask ourselves why Jesus as Judge has been presented in these documents as meek and merciful. Such a consideration might appear at first sign to be contrary to the binding requirements of justice, which cannot be waived on the basis of a misunderstood compassion. It is true that in God’s judgment on salvation, His forgiveness of the repentant sinner is always at work, but human judgment on the nullity of marriage cannot however be manipulated by false mercy. Any activity contrary to the service of the process of truth must certainly be deemed unjust. However, it is precisely in the proper exercise of judicial authority that true mercy must be practiced.”