Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but of having encountered a person: Jesus in our midst.

By saying "blessed are those who mourn", Jesus does not intend to declare an unfortunate and burdensome condition in life to be happy. Suffering is not a value in itself, but a reality that Jesus teaches us to live with the correct attitude.

We should commit ourselves to 'eucharistic coherence,' that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments, in particular when abortions, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated. This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals.

Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Let us work and pray.

Every conflict is emblematic of the throwaway culture.

I don't like it when I hear it said: 'but these youth say stupid things!'

How many young people, how many young people of our Europe, whom we have left empty of ideals, who do not have work... they take drugs, alcohol, or go there to enlist in fundamentalist groups.