"Certainly, the highest expression of divine charity is forgiveness, which is born of love for one’s enemy. In this regard, Jesus says that there is no particular merit in loving our friends and those who do good to us (cf. Mt. 5:46-47). True merit is found in loving one’s enemy. But who would have the strength to reach such a lofty height, if he or she were not sustained by the love of God?"

"Precisely because evil is still lodged in many hearts and sin is the ultimate cause of personal and social disorder, of all selfishness and oppression, of violence and revenge, it is necessary for Christians to engage in fostering the task of teaching peace by practicing forgiveness. Thus they will make themselves worthy of Jesus’ beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Mt 5:9). The Gospel words we have heard are demanding, beyond human logic, but capable of bringing about that revolution of love which starts by opening the heart to forgiveness and mercy: You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:43-44). These words invite us to conversion."

"We love one another truly and absolutely only when we love forever in joy and in sorrow, in good times and in bad."

"Fraternal love leads to the forgiveness of all offences, does not dispense with human justice, which judges the fault and condemns it. But one advances on the way of peace and reconciliation by first respecting the human person. Without the respect it is impossible to rebuild what has been destroyed. This respect of the person is the premise for truly fraternal dialogue. However, justice and equity for all those who have rights to defend are likewise necessary. And it must be recognized that, from this standpoint, the State must face a great and demanding challenge: it has the essential duty to give justice to all."

"Let us forgive and let us ask for forgiveness."

"We cannot fail to undertake the difficult but necessary pilgrimage of forgiveness, which leads to a profound reconciliation."

"Compassionate love knows no enemies, only brothers and sisters; it is universal."

"Let it be love which builds bridges between us and encourages us to do everything possible. Let love for each other and love for the truth be the answer to present difficulties and tensions."

‘What does it mean for young people to live unity and reconciliation in a fragmented world which is full of contradictions? Jesus himself gives you the answer: ‘AS you, Father, are in me and I in you…so that they may all be one….’ This it he reply. You can discover it in contemplating the Trinity.’

‘Man is made in God’s image: to know himself he must know God. And who is God? What is his true face? ‘God is love’ (1 Jn. 4:8, 16), writes St. John again. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and their love is the Holy spirit. God is one, he is the Absolute; but he is also three, he is relationship, the gift of one Person to the Other in total mutual openness. Each Person is himself and is distinct from the Others, and yet the three Persons are one God.’

‘This is the example we should reflect! The Trinity, dearly beloved, teaches you above all that each one must seek to be himself. An adolescent, a young person, is an individual who is shaping his own identity. In our society of consumerism and image, we easily run the risk of losing ourselves, of ending ‘in pieces.’ A shattered mirror can no longer reflect the whole image. It has to be remade. The person thus needs a deep and stable centre around which he can unify his various experiences. This centre, as St. Augustine teaches, is not to be sought outside oneself, but deep in one’s own heart, where man meets God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the relationship with God who is unity, man can unify himself.’