As head of a new Vatican department, Cardinal Farrell is in a position to bring lay people into positions of leadership in the church.

The 83-year-old cardinal died unexpectedly in his sleep July 5 while on vacation in southern Germany.

This appointment ensures that the C.D.F. is rowing with and not against the pope on key issues, including the interpretation of “Amoris Laetitia,” synodality and cooperation with the commission for the protection of minors.

The laypeople were the experts—the ones who live the challenges of family life every day—at the San Diego synod responding to Pope Francis' “Amoris Laetitia."

The conference brought together six lay people from different countries “to reflect on the post-synod apostolic exhortation that has aroused grave perplexities and widespread unease in numerous components of the Catholic world.”

Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’ and ‘Amoris Laetitia’ were released a year ago. Both offer an important—often fundamentally different—look into love and marriage.