The foundation of sacramental marriage is the unity of the spouses — the bond — which is so intense and full of grace that it is unique and indissoluble, states the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the document “Una Caro”, which was published on 25.11.2025 and approved by Pope Leo XIV.
“Una Caro” examines the value of marriage as an exclusive union and mutual belonging and emphasizes that in an individualistic and consumerist age young people must be educated to understand love as responsibility and trust toward the other. Thus, education is a very important element for understanding the whole of marriage.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the aforementioned dicastery, wrote in the document’s introduction that the Dicastery sought to draw inspiration from Scripture, theology, philosophy and even poetry to explain why it is best to choose a unique and exclusive union of love, a mutual belonging that is rich and all-encompassing.
Although the Church, its theologians, pastors and canon lawyers have written extensively about the indissolubility of the marital bond, the document’s note states that there are many official debates today about the unity of marriage. Yet marriage is always understood as a unique and exclusive union between one man and one woman.
With this document the Dicastery has stressed that sacramental marriage is everlasting and that openness to life is an important part of marriage, and it also states that the aim of the doctrinal note is primarily to focus on the unifying aspect of marriage.
This is a multifaceted and substantive document. We invite you to take some time to devote to it and to read it. Comments in Vatican News: Doctrine of the Faith: Monogamy is not a limitation but a promise of the infinite – Vatican News
Document (in Italian): Una caro – Elogio della monogamia. Nota dottrinale sul valore del matrimonio come unione esclusiva e appartenenza reciproca (25 novembre 2025)