It is not possible to go backwards. We must go forward. Always forward.

Holy Week is a privileged time when we are called to draw near to Jesus: friendship with him is shown in times of difficulty.

At times we are slaves of sin. Lord, come to free us!

Now, at the end of my visit to the Philippines, I commend you to Him, to Jesus who came among us as a child. May He enable all the beloved people of this country to work together, protecting one another, beginning with your families and communities, in building a world of justice, integrity and peace.

We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.

Being a Christian means renouncing ourselves, taking up the cross and carrying it with Jesus. There is no other way.

Without prolonged moments of adoration, of prayerful encounter with the word, of sincere conversation with the Lord, our work easily becomes meaningless; we lose energy as a result of weariness and difficulties, and our fervor dies out. The Church urgently needs the deep breath of prayer, and to my great joy groups devoted to prayer and intercession, the prayerful reading of God's word and the perpetual adoration of the Eucharist are growing at every level of ecclesial life.