If Someone Is Gay And

People In Every Nation Enhance The Social Dimension Of Their Lives By Acting As Committed And Responsible Citizens.

Holy Mother Church Teaches Us To End The Year And Also Our Days With An Examination Of Conscience...to Be Grateful And To Ask For Forgiveness.

I Entrust This Twenty-second World Day Of The Sick To The Intercession Of Mary. I Ask Her To Help The Sick To Bear Their Sufferings In Fellowship With Jesus Christ And To Support All Those Who Care For Them. To All The Ill, And To All The Health-care Workers And Volunteers Who Assist Them, I Cordially Impart My Apostolic Blessing.

The Great Danger In Today's World, Pervaded As It Is By Consumerism, Is The Desolation And Anguish Born Of A Complacent Yet Covetous Heart, The Feverish Pursuit Of Frivolous Pleasures, And A Blunted Conscience. Whenever Our Interior Life Becomes Caught Up In Its Own Interests And Concerns, There Is No Longer Room For Others, No Place For The Poor.

I Think With Great Affection And Deep Gratitude Of My Venerable Predecessor, Benedict Xvi, Who During These Years Of His Pontificate Has Enriched And Strengthened The Church With His Teaching, His Goodness, His Guidance, His Faith, His Humility, And His Gentleness, Which Will Remain A Spiritual Heritage For All.