True charity requires courage: Let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need.

Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.

Let us pray for peace: peace in the world and in each of our hearts.

There are saints in the Roman Curia, among the cardinals, priests, religious, sisters and laity. They work hard, and also do things that are often hidden. I know some who concern themselves with feeding the poor or who give up their free time to work in a parish. As always, the ones who aren't saints make the most noise ... a single tree falling makes a sound, but a whole forest growing doesn't.

There is the tendency to place ourselves and our ambitions at the center of our lives. This is very human, but it is not Christian.

I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle... The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules. The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you.

You may be poor yourselves in material ways, but you have an abundance of gifts to offer when you offer Christ and the community of his Church.