The poor and humble people who have faith in the Lord are the victims of the “intellectuals of religion,” and those who are “seduced by clericalism.”

On Oct. 31 the pope will participate in a ceremony to mark 500 years since the start of the Reformation.

“Behind an attitude of rigidity there is always something else in the life of a person. Rigidity is not a gift of God. Meekness is, goodness is, benevolence is, forgiveness is. But rigidity isn’t.”

“When I go to visit the retirement homes for elderly priests I find so many of these great shepherds who have given their lives for the faithful. There they are, sick, paralyzed, in wheelchairs but you can see them smiling straight away."

"Humility never comes without humiliation. And we see Jesus humiliated on the cross,” said Francis.

Pope Francis said silence and prayer is the way to overcome our darkest moments, rather than resorting to pills or alcohol to escape from our woes. His comments came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated on Tuesday at the Santa Marta residence. Taking his cue from the day’s fir

The pope talked about the many ways in which we hide the light of faith, through jealousy and arguments, by plotting evil against our neighbors or simply by putting off until tomorrow the good that we should do today.

The Holy Father reflected on the “logic” of Christian faith—the fundamental way of thinking that arises from real assent to the truth claims that Christianity advances—a logic he described as one of “the day after tomorrow,” that looks forward to the resurrection of the body.

Pope Francis recalled that when he was visiting prisoners in the jails in Buenos Aires, he always saw lines of women waiting to enter. “They were moms. But they were not ashamed; their flesh was there inside.

The word of God presents a clear central contrast between closing and opening.