‘Breastfeed Without Fear,’ and All the Times Pope Francis Championed Family

From the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has redefined what it means to lead with compassion. Known as the “People’s Pope,” he has become a global symbol of empathy, inclusion, and hope—especially for families navigating the complexities of modern life. 

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected as the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over a millennium. He served the Church and the world with a deeply pastoral heart, often choosing gestures of personal connection over pomp and ceremony.

He passed away on April 21, 2025, a day after Easter Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, reform, and unwavering advocacy for families in all their forms.

Here are all the times Pope Francis stood up for families—especially those on the margins.

Honoring the Quiet Strength of Mothers

During a general audience in January 2017 at the Vatican, as Pope Francis delivered his address, a baby began to cry. The child’s mother, seated among the faithful, began breastfeeding discreetly in the crowd. Rather than ignore or discourage the moment, the Pope embraced it. Speaking afterward, he praised mothers who breastfeed in public, saying: “You mothers, go ahead and breastfeed, without fear. Just as the Virgin Mary nursed Jesus.”

His words offered more than comfort—they affirmed the sacredness of motherhood, even in its most intimate, everyday moments. In doing so, he broke stigmas and extended dignity to women who often face criticism for such a natural act.

Advocates for Children on the Spectrum

Pope Francis has been a strong voice for inclusion, especially for those often left on the margins—like individuals living with autism. In a heartfelt address to over 200 representatives of the Italian Autism Foundation, held in honor of World Autism Awareness Day back on April 1, 2022, he called for a true culture of inclusion, belonging, and solidarity. 

He emphasized that people with autism should not simply be cared for—they should be welcomed, involved, and empowered to participate and contribute meaningfully to society. The Pope praised the Foundation’s work, recognizing their efforts as a stand against the “throw-away culture” that often overlooks the most vulnerable in favor of profit and competition. “We are victims of this throw-away culture,” he said, calling on the world to rethink its values and place human dignity at the center.

Welcoming Innocence with Open Arms

One unforgettable image of his papacy came when a 6-year-old boy wandered onto the stage during the Vatican's Year of Faith Celebration in October 2013. Instead of being ushered away, the child was allowed to remain at Pope Francis' side, even tugging at his robes and climbing onto his seat.

The Pope smiled and gently let the moment unfold—a spontaneous snapshot of how he embraces the innocence and spontaneity of childhood.

A Heart for the Marginalized

During his historic visit to the Philippines in 2015, Pope Francis made a surprise stop at a shelter for street children in Manila. While his formal itinerary was packed with state visits and public masses, he made space to meet with some of society’s most vulnerable.

"The pope stayed 10 minutes and told them they are not alone because Jesus loves them," shelter director Matthieu Dauchez was quoted as saying about the late pontiff’s surprise visit. 

That quiet encounter—far from cameras and crowds—spoke volumes about his belief that no child should be invisible.

Compassion Over Convention

In a bold break from tradition, Pope Francis baptized the child of an unmarried couple during Mass at the Sistine Chapel. He has since urged clergy around the world to do the same, emphasizing that the church cannot deny baptism to a child based on the parents’ circumstances.

Pope Francis reportedly said, “What does this mean? I would just tell you this: you are the ones that transmit the faith, the transmitters, you have a duty to pass on the faith to these children. It's the most beautiful legacy that you leave to them: the faith.”

A Pope of the Selfie Generation

He’s the first pontiff to go viral with a selfie. Whether smiling with teenagers in a now-historic August 2013 snapshot, or sharing laughs with pilgrims, Pope Francis’ ease with the youth is palpable. 

He reminds the young that the Church sees them, hears them, and values them in a language they understand.

Extending Grace to All Families

With the release of Fiducia Supplicans in December 2023, a declaration approved by Pope Francis, the Church has opened a door—one that many had long hoped would be unlatched. While it doesn’t change the Church’s teaching on marriage, it allows priests to bless same-sex couples, not as a sign of marriage, but as a way to acknowledge their faith, their love, and their desire to be close to God.

Pope Francis made it clear that blessings are not just for the perfect or the traditionally accepted. When two people, even in relationships the Church calls “irregular,” ask for a blessing, the Church doesn’t turn them away. 

It was a gesture not of doctrine, but of pastoral care—an embrace of those often left at the margins of the Church’s traditional definition of family.

A Pope for Every Home

Pope Francis has shown, again and again, that families are not one-size-fits-all. Whether it's a single mother nursing her child, street children yearning for affection, or same-sex couples seeking spiritual connection, his message is the same: You are loved. You are welcome. You are part of this community of faithful. 

In doing so, he has not only led the Church—he has embraced the world. And in that embrace, every kind of family has found a place.

Remember Pope Francis with his best quotes on family and children.