Francis

Let us hasten to pursue paths of peace and fraternity. Let us rejoice at the concrete signs of hope that reach us from so many countries, beginning with those that offer assistance and welcome to all fleeing from war and poverty.

(«Urbi et Orbi» Message, 9 April 2023)

And this is the first thing I want to recommend to you: tenderness. How does God do things? With three attitudes: proximity, mercy and tenderness. This is how God is: close, merciful and tender. Beware: I am not talking about sentimentalism, no. I am talking about a feature of God’s love, which is needed today more than ever. At times, a caress given from the heart does greater good than a few coins.

(Address to Members the Circle of Saint Peter, 20 February 2023)

A small amount, if given with love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness. Such was the case with the jar of meal and jug of oil of the widow of Zarephath, who offered a cake of bread to the prophet Elijah (cf. 1 Kings17:7-16); it was also the case with the loaves blessed, broken and given by Jesus to the disciples to distribute to the crowd (cf. Mk 6:30-44). Such is the case too with our almsgiving, whether small or large, when offered with joy and simplicity.

(Message for Lent 2021)