The family cannot be isolated like a monad, Pope Francis told us when he received us in marking the 20th anniversary of the European Federation of Catholic Family Associations (FAFCE). As the Pope underlined, “Families need to go out from themselves; they need to dialogue and to encounter others, in order to build a unity that is not uniformity and that can generate progress and advance the common good” [...] Family associations are essential to provide a framework of mutual assistance and action, and to develop a bottom-up approach for effective family policies. [...] Family networks have been concerned first and foremost with education [...] Those who educate always educate in the name and on behalf of parents. [...]

The address of Pope Francis on the 20th anniversary of FAFCE emphasized that families must engage outwardly, fostering dialogue and mutual cooperation. Family associations have historically supported communities by organizing mutual aid and responding to practical needs, such as housing and education. They fulfill their mission by injecting family spirit into society and compensating for gaps left by public welfare systems. Education remains central, as family networks support parental roles and the development of children's character and purpose. [...]