Be close to the poor and to those in need, so as to touch in their flesh the wounded flesh of Jesus. Please, draw near to them!

Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of those who are poor and hungry.

Living together is an art. It's a patient art, it's a beautiful art, it's fascinating.

Today, the news is scandals, that is news, but the many children who don’t have food - that’s not news. This is grave. We can’t rest easy while things are this way.

It is true that going out on to the street implies the risk of accidents happening, as they would to any ordinary man or woman. But if the church stays wrapped up in itself, it will age. And if I had to choose between a wounded church that goes out on to the streets and a sick, withdrawn church, I would definitely choose the first one.

When families bring children into the world, train them in faith and sound values, and teach them to contribute to society, they become a blessing in our world.

Jesus kept his wounds so that we would experience his mercy. This is our strength and our hope.