Do not be afraid to cast yourselves into the arms of God; whatever he asks of you, he will repay a hundredfold.

During my visit to the Philippines, I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people, to listen to you and to talk to you. I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you. And I want to encourage you as Christian citizens of this country to offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world.

I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the church as a field hospital after battle... The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules. The most important thing is the first proclamation: Jesus Christ has saved you.

We cannot live as Christians separate from the rock who is Christ. He gives us strength and stability, but also joy and serenity.

This is the mission of every Christian: lumina pandit - to spread the light and to tell the world of God's love.

As your captain, I'm going to push you to not fall back on defense, but to play offense, and to play our match -- the Gospel, together.

The Holy Spirit, in the variety of his gifts, unites us and enables us to contribute to the building up of the Church in holiness. In this great work, each of us has a part to play; each of us, as a "living stone", is needed for the growth and the beauty of God's holy temple. Let us ask the Lord to help us to take an ever more active part in the Church's life and mission, guided by the Holy Spirit and with Jesus as our cornerstone.