Cardinal who backs progressives tapped to present family manifesto

In a move possibly hinting that Pope Francis will side with progressives on some contentious matters regarding family life, the Vatican announced Thursday that a keenly anticipated document from the pontiff will be released April 8 and presented by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, Austria.

The document, technically known as an “apostolic exhortation,” is designed to draw conclusions from two tumultuous summits of Catholic bishops from around the world, called “synods,” on issues pertaining to the family held in October 2014 and October 2015.

Carrying the Latin title Amoris Laetitia, subtitled “On Love in the Family,” the document will be presented in an April 8 Vatican news conference featuring Schönborn and Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, the synod secretary, along with two Italian academics.