The Golden Rule reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development. This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty.

There are the saints of every day, the 'hidden' saints, a sort of 'middle class of holiness'... to which we can all belong.

I don’t know if it is all (man’s fault) but the majority is, for the most part, it is man who continuously slaps down nature.

Do not be afraid to dream great things!

Brothers and sisters, good evening. You all know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals have gone almost to the ends of the earth to get him... but here we are.

Auschwitz cries out with the pain of immense suffering and pleads for a future of respect, peace and encounter among peoples.

Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace!