Overview
- The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released the 40‑page, 256‑footnote text, approved by Pope Leo XIV on November 21 and published in Italian on November 25.
- Authored by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the document responds to African bishops who identified polygamy as a pressing pastoral challenge.
- The note says public non‑monogamous unions are increasing in Western countries and rejects polygamy, adultery and “poliamor” as incompatible with marriage.
- It reiterates marriage as an exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman, emphasizes the unitive and procreative dimensions of sexuality, and describes unity as the founding property of marriage.
- Presented at a Vatican press conference with Fernández, Giuseppina De Simone and Mons. Armando Matteo, the text calls for education and formation to foster faithful monogamous commitments.