Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone.

The one thing that the Catholic Church desires, and that I seek as Bishop of Rome, “the Church which presides in charity”, is communion with the Orthodox Churches.

If I'm not mistaken, Sigmund Freud said that in every idealisation there's an aggression. Depicting the Pope as a sort of Superman, a star, is offensive to me. The pope is a man who laughs, cries, sleeps calmly and has friends like everyone else. A normal person.

Humanity needs to weep, and this is the time to weep.

But please know, Jesus never lets you down. Please know that the love and tenderness of Mother Mary never lets you down. And holding on to her mantle and with the power that comes from Jesus love on the cross, let us move forward, always forward, and walk together as brothers and sisters in the Lord forward.

I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they have this charism of giving you things you can build with.

God understands us, He waits for us. He doesn't get tired of forgiving us. If we repent and go to him with a truly open heart.