Pope asks Roman Rota to encourage couples to stay married, avoid annulments

Benedict XVI has met with the judges and lawyers from the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, the Vatican tribunal that decides marriage annulments. The pope has asked to encourage couples to stay married and seek reconciliation.

The pope has also recalled the judgments of invalidity must respect the truth and justice of the facts and that they shouldnt summit to societal pressure.

In particular, he said that all marriages are valid until proven otherwise. And that marital difficulties are not reasons to seek an annulment.

Apart from the grounds of marriage annulments, the Rota is the highest court of appeal for the Holy See. It is also responsible for judging the Church directly under the pope, like bishops and superiors of religious orders.