The document, which follows October's Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, is highly anticipated for how the pope will respond to the recommendation to allow the ordination of married men to the priesthood for ministry in the region.

The synod's final document had also called for women to be considered for diaconal ordination and contained strong appeals on environmental issues and the rights of indigenous peoples, which Francis' letter is also expected to address. Read more

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said this in an interview with a Portuguese Catholic agency.

Archbishop Paglia said the document will "show that the Church is close to families in all stages of their lives".

"I am convinced that the apostolic exhortation will be a hymn to love, to a love that will care for the well-being of children, that is open to wounded families who need strength, that wants to be close to the elder, a love that the whole of humanity needs," Archbishop Paglia said.

The apostolic exhortation will be the conclusion of a multi-year synod process.

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