On online forums, Christians are debating what to do. It's also become a topic of conversation, debate, church events, and other gatherings.

So what is the church to do when one of our traditional Christian holidays falls on the same day as a flower-filled, Hallmark-driven, love-fest?

Well, this is a great opportunity to connect the two events. Read more

The Animal Welfare Board had said Wednesday that "hugging cows will bring emotional richness and increase individual and collective happiness." Read more

We inherited our contemporary version of Valentine's Day from the Victorians, but some accounts — such as a story last year in Lifehacker and another from NPR on "The Dark Origins of Valentine's Day" — have argued that the "real" history of the holiday can be traced all the way back to ancient Rome. Read more

In recent years there has been a Mass celebrated in Wellington's Cathedral on Valentine's Day.

Because Cardinal Dew was in Rome to be made a Cardinal he pre-recorded his message. Watch Youtube video

The Holy Father offered this advice on Friday, St Valentine's Day, to 10,000 engaged couples from 30 different countries, who accepted his offer of 'a special date' and joined him in St Peter's Square.

Speaking to the fiancés, Francis said expressions of courtesy, gratitude and contrition go a long way towards conserving and enhancing love over time.

"Never finish the day without making peace!" he begged them.

"If you end the day without making peace, what you have inside becomes hard and cold and it becomes harder to make peace the following day."

Francis joked that we all make mistakes and that no one is perfect.

"The perfect family doesn't exist, nor the perfect husband nor wife. Let's not even talk about the perfect mother-in-law," the pontiff said.

Originally planned to be held inside a Vatican auditorium, the response from engaged couples to Francis' Valentine's Day invitation was so great that the event was held in the Piazza.

The pope also tweeted: "Dear young people, don't be afraid to marry. A faithful and fruitful marriage will bring you happiness."

Winter in Rome, and after several weeks of rain, perfect weather greeted the crowd.

Sources

• Vatican Radio
• Associated Press
• Image: Boise Weekly