How often we forget to dedicate ourselves to that which truly matters! We forget that we are children of God.

May the Santo Niño continue to bless the Philippines and may he sustain the Christians of this great nation in their vocation to be witnesses and missionaries of the joy of the Gospel, in Asia and in the whole world.

Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.

Leaders of the Church have often been Narcissus, flattered and sickeningly excited by their courtiers. The court is the leprosy of the papacy.

Let us keep the flame of faith alive through prayer and the sacraments: let us make sure we do not forget God.

Christmas is joy, religious joy, an inner joy of light and peace.

I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church... a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.