Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions.

May this colloquium be an inspiration to all who seek to support and strengthen the union of man and woman in marriage as a unique, natural, fundamental and beautiful good for persons, families, communities, and whole societies.

Consumerism has led us to become used to an excess and daily waste of food, to which, at times, we are no longer able to give a just value, which goes well beyond mere economic parameters. We should all remember, however, that throwing food away is like stealing from the tables of the the poor, the hungry!

Let us never lose hope! God loves us always, even with our mistakes and sins.

I cannot imagine a Christian who does not know how to smile. May we joyfully witness to our faith.

If I speak of Islamic violence, I must speak of Catholic violence.

Around us there is the presence of evil. The devil is at work. But in a loud voice I say: GOD IS STRONGER.