We must not believe the Evil One when he tells us that there is nothing we can do in the face of violence, injustice and sin.

To the criminals and all their accomplices, I, today, humbly and as a brother, repeat: convert yourselves to love and justice. It is possible to return to honesty. The tears of the mothers of Naples are asking this of you.

Wars are always madness: all is lost in war, all is to be gained in peace.

The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice.

One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism, which turns us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, sourpusses.

Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: ‘Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path.’ If you don’t ask those questions, your governance will not be good.

Because if we destroy Creation, Creation will destroy us! Never forget this!