VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has cautioned Church leaders and canon law experts against what he called “false mercy” in marriage annulment proceedings, insisting that compᴀssion must always remain rooted in truth and justice. Speaking to participants in a legal-pastoral training course organized by the Roman Rota, the Vatican’s highest appellate court for marriage cases, the Pope stressed that annulment processes should serve both the faithful and the integrity of the sacrament of marriage.

The pontiff emphasized that theology, law, and pastoral care must work together rather than be viewed as competing priorities. He warned that annulment procedures are not simply technical mechanisms to grant individuals freedom to remarry, but ecclesial processes dedicated to discerning the truth about a marriage’s validity.

“Human judgment on the nullity of marriage cannot be manipulated by false mercy,” Pope Leo said, explaining that genuine mercy never abandons the search for truth. He argued that any action that undermines the process’s commitment to truth ultimately becomes unjust, even when motivated by compᴀssion.

At the same time, the Pope reaffirmed support for reforms introduced a decade ago to make annulment procedures more accessible and efficient. However, he stressed that speed and accessibility must never come at the expense of determining the truth of the marital bond.

Concluding his remarks, Pope Leo XIV reminded participants that the ultimate purpose of Church judicial processes is the salvation of souls. He urged tribunal officials to combine justice, mercy, and pastoral care while remaining faithful to the truth that serves both individuals and the wider Church community.