People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens.

I believe that it is truly important for everyone to confront in dialogue the historical reality of the Reformation, its consequences and the responses it elicited. Catholics and Lutherans can ask forgiveness for the harm they have caused one another and for their offenses committed in the sight of God. Together we can rejoice in the longing for unity which the Lord has awakened in our hearts, and which makes us look with hope to the future.

Today, we need a Church capable of walking at people's side, of doing more than simply listening to them.... At times we lose people because they don't understand what we are saying, because we have forgotten the language of simplicity and import an intellectualism foreign to our people.... We cannot keep ourselves shut up in parishes, in our communities, when so many people are waiting for the Gospel.

Mercy is the true power that can save humanity and the world from sin and evil.

Let us pray for peace, and let us bring it about, starting in our own homes.

Before I give you a blessing, I ask you for a favor: I want you to bless me.

Praise is the 'breath' which gives us life, because it is intimacy with God, an intimacy that grows through daily praise.