What the Pope's new guidance means for Catholic families

Guidelines hailed by both conservatives and liberals – but gay believers will be disappointed

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Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, Vatican City
(Image credit: TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis has published long-awaited guidelines clarifying the Catholic Church's position on family life, love and marriage.

The document, which was two years in the making, comes after hundreds of bishops from around the world held two separate synods to debate how to respond to the changing dynamics of the modern family.

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