We Christians identify Christ with the sun, and the moon with the Church, the community of the faithful. No one, save Jesus Christ, possesses his or her own light.

Sometimes tears are the glasses that we need to see Jesus.

I do not know what might be the most fitting description.... I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner. And this is what I said when they asked me if I would accept my election as pontiff: I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I accept in a spirit of penance.

If we don't learn how to cry, we can't be good Christians. This is a challenge. Don't be frightened of crying.

Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence, let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change, there is no sin which he cannot forgive if only we open ourselves to him.

All political activity must serve and promote the good of the human person and be based on respect for his or her dignity.

Anyone who wants to be pope doesn't care much for themselves, God doesn't bless them. I didn't want to be pope.