I'm reluctant to draw many conclusions from private correspondence leaked without permission.

As Pope Francis says in Amoris laetitia, pastors must "make room for the consciences of the faithful, who very often respond as best they can to the Gospel amid their limitations, and are capable of carrying out their own discernment in complex situations. We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them" (no. 37). As for the former statement, we should only be afraid if the church is smaller because of our failure to welcome people and preach the Gospel in a way that touches their hearts.

Best thing about Al Smith dinner: Cardinal Dolan got the candidates together for a brief prayer before going out on the stage.

But rather than trying to understand and rise above them, as leaders should, the [presedential] campaigns have often simply channeled these negative emotions. This has made the substance and tone of much of the discussion not only unpleasant and uninspiring, but the acrimony and divisiveness are not healthy for our democracy.

We have perhaps all said things in unguarded moments that we would not want printed in newspapers.

I've never met anyone who has changed his mind or deepened his faith because he has been confronted with such angry condemnations.

[Pope Francis] has reminded us that the way we live our lives is the most important expression of our Catholic identity.