As we look back on the Holy Father’s Apostolic visit to the United States, we can reflect, with some clarity, as to what the pope said and did during his time with us.

Some were overjoyed at the pope’s speech to Congress; others felt it was a missed opportunity to speak more explicitly against the evil of abortion and against same-sex marriage. Some were thrilled that he explicitly mentioned his opposition to the death penalty; still others wanted him to be more specific on issues that Catholics in America have to face.

It was wonderful to see the people of the Unites States of America embrace the Holy Father with such great love and devotion. It is our hope that the good will and the momentum that this visit has generated will be translated into a greater involvement in the life of the Church by Catholic Americans, including an upsurge in Mass attendance. Bishops and priests have rarely had a better time to speak about Christ and His Church than this present moment.

All of the pope’s stops were key; all of his talks were important, but one stood out for its spontaneity as well as its importance. We should be reminded that the main reason for the Pope’s visit was to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. So, his talk at the closing ceremonies of the Meeting were particularly significant because the exposure to the Catholic vision of family was the focus of the journey. It became even more important when the Holy Father put aside his prepared remarks and spoke extemporaneously from his heart.

True, we had heard most of what he had to say. We knew the Church teaches that the family is the nucleus to a civilized society. We knew that respect for grandparents and children are the bookends of familial conduct. We knew that every child deserves a mother and a father. We knew that peace in the household is of paramount importance.

But when the Holy Father spoke so eloquently in this setting and at this place, it took on a special meaning. As the Holy Father reiterated – it was no accident that Jesus entered the world through a family.

Expect to hear more about this topic in the coming weeks as the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican prepares to examine the role of family.

This could very well be the most important week of the current papacy. So much of what Pope Francis means to the Church is wrapped up in the concept of family, the place where we all first encounter the divine presence.