Let us ask the Lord for this grace: that our hearts become free and filled with light, so that we can rejoice as children of God.

Consumerism has brought us anxiety. Set aside time to play with your children, and turn off the TV when they sit down to eat.

Be close to the poor and to those in need, so as to touch in their flesh the wounded flesh of Jesus. Please, draw near to them!

Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him.

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

I recognize that globalization has helped many people rise out of poverty, but it has also damned many others to starve to death. It is true that global wealth is growing in absolute terms, but inequalities have also grown and new poverty arisen.

The goods of the earth are meant for everyone.