An example I often use to illustrate the reality of vanity, is this: look at the peacock; it's beautiful if you look at it from the front. But if you look at it from behind, you discover the truth... Whoever gives in to such self-absorbed vanity has huge misery hiding inside them.

If a person has done wrong, is conscious of what he has done and does not say sorry, I ask God to take him into account. I forgive him, but he does not receive that forgiveness, he is closed to forgiveness. We must forgive, because we were all forgiven. It is another thing to receive that forgiveness.

The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.

We must not reduce the bosom of the universal church to a nest protecting our mediocrity.

I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor!

It seems that humanity is incapable of putting a halt to the shedding of innocent blood.

These two criteria are like the pillars of true love: deeds, and the gift of self.