May 17, 2008. Mercy, The Essence Of Christianity. The Virgin Mary appeared to a local peasant in the year 1536, and she is still venerated today with the name of Virgin of Mercy. This is the essence of Christianity because it is the essence of God Himself. God is One in that He is entirely and solely Love, but precisely because He is Love, He is openness, acceptance, and dialogue.  Through works of charity ... Mary can lead us to the font of faith, hope and of love.  Read More>>>

April 30, 2008. On My Recent Visit To The US: Christ Is Our Hope. During my meeting with President George Bush in the White House I had the opportunity to pay homage to your great country, which from its beginnings was built on the foundation of a harmonious union between religious, ethical and political principles, and which still constitutes a valid example of healthy laicism, where the religious dimension, in the diversity of its expressions, is not only tolerated but turned to advantage as the "soul" of the nation and the fundamental guarantee of the rights and duties of human beings.   Read More>>>

April 24, 2008. Spiritual Value Of Music Infuses Us With Hope. The art of music infuses hope into the human soul. There is a profound and mysterious relationship between music and hope, between song and eternal life. It is no coincidence that Christian tradition shows the spirits of the blessed as they sing in chorus, captivated and enraptured by the beauty of God.   Read More>>>

April 13, 2008. Vocation and Mission Are Inseparable.  Let us pray for constant increase in the ranks of those who decide to live the Gospel radically through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.  Christian matrimony is also an important missionary vocation: husband and wife are called to live the Gospel in the family, in the workplace, and in the parish and civic communities where they offer their valuable contributions.   Read More>>>

March 30, 2008. True Peace Arises From Divine Mercy.  Mercy is the central nucleus of the evangelical message.  From divine mercy, which brings peace to hearts, arises authentic peace for the world, peace between peoples, and among various cultures and religions.   Apart from God's mercy there is no other source of hope for human beings.   Read More>>>

March 23, 2008. Easter Message.  How often relations between individuals, between groups and between peoples are marked not by love but by selfishness, injustice, hatred and violence!  These are the scourges of humanity, open and festering in every corner of the planet ... wounds that torture the souls and bodies of countless of our brothers and sisters ... waiting to be tended and healed by the glorious wounds of our Risen Lord.  Read More>>>