On the anniversary of my visit to #Lampedusa, let us pray that we might discover the face of Jesus in all people forced to flee their homeland because of the many injustices that continue to afflict our world. @M_RSection

Faith makes us walk with Jesus on the roads of this world, in the certainty that the power of His Spirit will bend the forces of evil, subjecting them to the power of God’s love.

The United Nations has called for an immediate, global ceasefire in order to face the Covid-19 pandemic and provide humanitarian aid. I hope this Resolution will be implemented quickly for the good of those who suffer and become a first step toward a future of peace.

In the #GospelOfTheDay (Mt 11:25-30), Jesus praises the Father, because He has hidden the secrets of His Kingdom "from the wise and the learned" and revealed them to the "little ones", who long for Him and expect everything from Him.

In some places, #cooperatives are being developed to exploit renewable sources of energy which ensure local self-sufficiency. They can make a real difference in the fight against climate change, thanks to a strong sense of community and a deep love for the land.

Christian joy flows from listening to, and accepting, the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Whoever believes this message knows that life is born of the love of God the Father.

https://t.co/8QN3ZZlcMs

Evil never gives peace. It causes frenzy first then leaves bitterness. Instead, God’s voice never promises cheap, easily acquired joy. He invites us to go beyond our ego to find that true good: peace.

Today we commemorate the first martyrs of the Church of Rome. They have left us an inheritance to protect and imitate: the Gospel of love and mercy. The Christian martyrs of every period are men and women of peace, despite persecution.

Today the Fourth Conference of the European Union and the United Nations to “support the future of Syria and the region” takes place. Let us pray for this meeting, so that it might place above everything the good of peoples who need food, health care, education, work.

Today we are united in a special way with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Peter and Andrew were brothers. Whenever possible, we exchange fraternal visits on our respective feast days, as we journey together towards the goal that the Lord desires: full unity.

The proud Saul became Paul, a name that means “small”. The Lord shook him. He shattered Paul’s illusion of being respectably religious to make him His instrument. https://t.co/8kMZVJ4oL1

Just as the Lord transformed Simon into Peter, so He calls each one of us, to make us living stones with which to build a renewed Church and a renewed humanity.

On the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, I would like to share two key words: unity and prophecy. The Lord asks each of us: “Do you want to be a builder of unity? Do you want to be a prophet of my heaven on earth?” Let's find the courage to answer: “Yes, I do!”

I invite everyone to pray for the people of Yemen, especially children, who are suffering as a result of the very serious humanitarian crisis, and for those affected by the severe floods in Western Ukraine.

God’s generous gratitude takes into account even the smallest gesture of love and service given to our brothers and sisters. Jesus teaches us this in #TheGospelOfTheDay (Mt 10:42).

Jesus says to His disciples: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38). There is no true love without the cross, without a personal price to pay. When borne with Jesus, the cross is not scary because He's always at our side to help us.

If you are looking for meaning in life but, not finding one, you throw yourself away with "imitations of love", such as wealth, career, pleasure, or an addiction, let Jesus look at you, and you will discover you have always been loved.

Only those who see with the heart see things well, because they know how to “look into” each person: to see a brother or sister apart from his or her mistakes, hope amid difficulty. They see God everywhere.

Let us begin anew from the numerous examples of generous, freely-given love, which in these months have shown us how much closeness, care, and sacrifice are needed to nourish fraternity and civil coexistence. In this way, we will emerge from this crisis stronger.