"Money is the enemy of harmony; money is selfish.”

“Mary’s ‘yes’ opens the door to Jesus’ ‘yes’: I have come to do your will, this is the ‘yes’ that Jesus carries with him throughout his life, until the cross.”

“Why does a child suffer? I do not know: it is a mystery to me.”

"We ask the Lord for the grace of fidelity. And the first step on this path towards fidelity is to admit you are a sinner.”

“When God forgives, his forgiveness is so great that it is as though God forgets."

God’s salvation does not come from great things, from power or wealth, nor from clerical or political parties, but from the small and simple things of God.

“Am I a Christian in name only, on the path of lies? Or am I a Christian on the path of life, that is, of works, of actions?”

Pope Francis reflected on God’s reality and the “fakeness” of so many Christians who treat the faith as though it were window dressing.

“Pastors are first of all required – the pope said – to have God himself who takes care of his flock as a model.”

During Ash Wednesday Mass, the pope focused on the theme of mercy as we begin the season of Lent.