There is no worse material poverty than one that does not allow for earning one’s bread and deprives one of the dignity of work. Youth unemployment, informality, and the lack of labor rights are not inevitable; they are the result of a previous social option, of an economic system that puts profit above man; if the profit is economic, to put it above humanity or above man, is the effect of a disposable culture that considers the human being in himself as a consumer good, which can be used and then discarded.

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.

A society which abandons children and the elderly severs its roots and darkens its future.

A man who does not know how to have a relationship of friendship with a woman - I'm not talking about misogynists, who are sick - well, he's a man who is missing something.

We need to provide an education which teaches crit­ical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values.

At times we can be self-absorbed. Lord, help us to open our hearts to others and to serve those who are most vulnerable.