Men and women have a natural right to marry, but that does not mean they have a right to a Catholic wedding, Pope Benedict XVI has said.

The Pope said that marriage for the Catholic Church was a sacrament that is witnessed by a priest or deacon, but performed by the couple who pledge their union will be forever and that they will be open to having and educating children.

Pope Benedict made his comments during a meeting with members of the Roman Rota, a Vatican-based tribunal that deals mainly with marriage cases.