This course examines the main themes of the following works of John Paul II: On the Christian Family in the Modern World, On the Dignity & Vocation of Women, Letter to Women, Letter to Families and the work of Pope Benedict XVI, Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church and in the World. Particular attention will be paid to the development in these documents of themes presented in the Wednesday Catechesis on the body. Gender, marriage, and family will be analyzed on the basis of John Paul’s teaching that the human body is the expression of the person and that the differences in masculinity and femininity point to the invitation by God to love as He loves.