In a training discussing the new marriage annulment procedure, Pope Francis addressed the need for a thorough and extensive marriage preparations courses.

As reported by Catholic News, the pope stated that prenuptial preparations should not be limited to "two or three meetings and then go forward." Instead, to ensure complete understanding, marriage preparation courses should be conducted well into the first few years of marriage.

"They say yes, but do they understand this? Do they have faith in this?" Pope Francis said, emphasizing the importance of having couples understand the "the profound meaning of the step that they are about to take."

"I ask myself how many of these youth who come to marriage preparation courses understand what 'marriage,' the sign of the union of Christ and the Church, means," the pope told the parish priests who participated in the formation course. "A true catechumenate is needed for the sacrament of marriage."

The training, which was sponsored by a marriage tribunal in Vatican, discussed the new marriage annulment process and other related matters. It delved into the proper implementation of the updated procedures. The course was held from Feb. 22 to 25.

Pope Francis concluded the formative course with a speech discussing various marriage issues and how priests should address them.

"For each person and each situation," he stated. "You are called to be travel companions in order to bear witness and to support."

According to Pope Francis, the people's perception of marriage as simply a "social reality" rather than a sacred sacrament is one of the biggest challenges the clergy must overcome.

He discussed how priests should "welcome" couples who "prefer to live together without getting married." The pontiff pointed out that couples who chose to cohabitate often belong to the lower sectors of the society.

Pope Francis also stressed the need to "support" couples who have decided to render their marriage invalid.