When I confess a couple who have kids, a married couple, I ask, 'how many children do you have?' Some get worried and think the priest will ask why I don't have more. I would make a second question, 'Do you play with your children?' The majority say, 'but father, I have no time. I work all day.'

I pray every day for all who are suffering in Iraq. Please join me.

The two key words for the European Union are creativity and fruitfulness. That's the challenge.

The scourge of drug trafficking, that favors violence and sows the seeds of suffering and death, requires of society as a whole an act of courage.

I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by an abominable war. God bless your perseverance, God bless and encourage your faith, God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America.

Holy Week is a good occasion to go to confession and to take up the right path again.

May we learn to say “thank you” to God and to one another. We teach children to do it, and then we forget to do it ourselves!