What unites us, is much greater than what divides us.

There is a common belief that under modern conditions peace cannot be assured except on the basis of an equal balance of armaments...[but] true and lasting peace among nations cannot consist in the possession of an equal supply of armaments but only in mutual trust.

I want to throw open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in.

Anybody can be Pope; the proof of this is that I have become one.

Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfullfilled potential.

It often happens that I wake up at night and begin to think about a serious problem and decide I must tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope.

It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.