Not consummated marriage

When the marriage is not followed by a physical union of the spouses, which in itself is suitable for the generation of children, to whom the marriage is ordered by its nature, it is called a marriage that has been consummated and not consummated.

The term "ratum" marriage means the marriage validly celebrated between two baptized.
Marriage is ratum and "consummated" when the celebration is followed by that physical union of the spouses, in itself suitable for the generation of children, to which the marriage is ordered by its nature.

This gesture is in fact the definitive confirmation, also through body language, of that desire to be husband and wife which was expressed with words during the celebration.
The marriage is therefore "ratum et non consummatum" when the celebration is not followed by such a physical union: in this case, at the request of the parties, or at least one of them, for a just reason, the Pope may dissolve such marriage through dispensation. To obtain such a ruling, it is necessary to follow a specific procedure consisting of a diocesan phase, during which the evidence in support of the request will be collected, and a subsequent phase at the appropriate office established at the Tribunal of the Roman Rota. It should be noted that this is not a judicial process which results in a judgment but rather a procedure which may lead to the receipt of an exemption. This measure is therefore not subject to recognition by the Italian civil courts.