Today I am thinking of 25 March last year, when, in union with all the bishops, the Church and humanity, in particular Russia and Ukraine, were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us not tire of entrusting the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace!

God came to live among us thanks to Mary's ‘yes’ at the moment of the #Annunciation. It’s the most important ‘yes’ in history, a humble ‘yes’ that undoes the prideful ‘no’ of Genesis, a faithful ‘yes’ that heals disobedience, a willing ‘yes’ that overturns the egoism of sin.

The martyrs are the most precious gift God could have given to His Church, for in them that “greater love” that Jesus showed us on the cross becomes a reality.

In #Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn.

Chosen and loved by God, we are called to live "as is fitting among the saints" (Eph 5:3), to clothe ourselves with sentiments of goodness, humility, magnanimity, bearing the fruits of the Spirit. #GeneralAudience

The international community must work together to guarantee access and sanitation services for everyone, so that the right to water, which is none other than the right to life, to a future, to hope, might become a reality at the universal level.#WorldWaterDay

Every human person is sacred and inviolable. To ensure that a society has a future, it is necessary that a sense of respect be matured for the dignity of every person, no matter in what condition they find themselves.

Everyone can discover in #SaintJoseph a man who goes unnoticed, a man whose daily presence is discreet and hidden, an intercessor, a support, and a guide in difficult moments.

Today, we extend best wishes to all fathers! May they find in Saint Joseph a model, support and consolation to live their fatherhood well. Let us #PrayTogether for Fathers.

Yesterday in #Ecuador, an earthquake caused deaths, injuries and considerable damage. I am near to the Ecuadorian people and I assure you of my prayer for the deceased and for all who are suffering.

Let us ask the grace to be surprised every day by God’s gifts and to see the various circumstances of life, even the ones that are the most difficult to accept, as occasions to do good, as Jesus did with the blind man. #GospelOfTheDay (Jn 9:1-41)

There is no acceptance without integration. People need to be accompanied from the beginning until they are truly integrated into our society. As Scripture bids us: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you” (Lev 19:34). https://t.co/Di31rkWk0m

We are sinners and in need of mercy like the air we breathe. Willingness to convert - to allow ourselves to be purified, to change our lives - is a sign of courage, of strength. #Lent

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is, and must be, a festive encounter that heals the heart and leaves us with inner peace. It is not a human tribunal to be afraid of, but a divine embrace by which we are consoled. #24HourswiththeLord

Only those who are poor in spirit, in need of salvation, who beg for grace, present themselves before God without vaunting their merits, without pretense or presumption. Having nothing, they therefore find everything, because they find the Lord. #24HourswiththeLord

#24HourswiththeLord https://t.co/fEkeNpiYeO

In Confession, let's give God first place. Once he is in charge, everything becomes beautiful and confession becomes the Sacrament of joy, not of fear and judgement, but of joy. #24hourswiththeLord

Is your faith tired? Do you want to reinvigorate it? Look for God’s gaze: sit in adoration, allow yourself to be forgiven in Confession, stand before the Crucified One. In short, let him love you. #Lent

I am close to the people of #Malawi, of Mozambique, and of South Africa, who have been struck in recent days by a powerful cyclone. Let us #PrayTogether for the deceased, the injured, the displaced. May the Lord sustain the families and communities most affected by this disaster.

The treasure we have received with our Christian vocation, we are obliged to give: it is the dynamic nature of the vocation, the dynamic nature of life.