Francis

Without the work that you do, the work of the Church would not go well, one would not be able to do so much work for the preaching of the Gospel, to help so many people, the sick, schools, so many things. You are a part of this ‘chain’ that carries forward the work of the Church.

(Greetings to the employees of the Holy See and of Vatican City State, 21 December 2017)

One must know how to look at human wounds with the heart in order to ‘take to heart’ the life of others. In this way, we no longer see just a stranger in need of help but, first and foremost, a brother, a brother begging for love. And only when we take someone to heart can we respond to this expectation. It is the experience of mercy: miseri-cor-dare, to give one’s heart to the suffering

(Address to Members the Circle of Saint Peter, 25 September 2020)

One cannot give a usual response to an exceptional situation; a new, different reaction is required. To do this requires a heart that can 'see' the wounds of society and creative hands in industrious charity. Heart that sees and hands that do. These two elements are important so that a charitable action can always be fruitful.

(Address to Members of the Circle of Saint Peter, 25 September 2020)