Going to Mass together and setting aside time each day to talk to each other are two simple practices that can help Catholic couples strengthen their marriage and be examples to others, said a papal message.

Pope Benedict "invites Christian couples to be 'the gentle and smiling face of the Church,' the best and most convincing heralds of love sustained and nourished by faith," said a message to the participants in the international meeting of the Teams of Our Lady.

The group, a movement for Catholic couples started in France in 1938, was meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, July 21-26.

The movement helps couples recognize the grace of the sacrament of marriage and encourages them to attend Mass together, Bertone said.