The family is threatened by growing efforts on the part of some to redefine the very institution of marriage, by relativism, by the culture of the ephemeral, by a lack of openness to life. These realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces, which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation.

Let's not forget that God never gets tired of forgiving so let's never get tired of asking for forgiveness.

Reforming the social structures which perpetuate poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a conversion of mind and heart.

We could also say that there is only one real kind of poverty: not living as children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ.

My brothers, the United States Bishops, have reminded us, all are called to be vigilant, precisely as good citizens, to preserve and defend that freedom from everything that would threaten or compromise it.

To all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity!

To all of you, I repeat: Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! Do not let yourselves be robbed of hope! And not only that, but I say to us all: let us not rob others of hope, let us become bearers of hope!