"The defense of human beings knows no barriers," says Pope Francis in a conversation with the Italian journal Libertàcivili.

Then the pope asked: “What is the cross for you? Yes, it is the Christian symbol. We make the sign of the cross, but often we do not do it well.”

We must ask ourselves, what do I feel when I see on the news that a bomb has fallen on a hospital and lots of poor children have been killed? Do I just say a prayer and go on my way like before?

Pope Francis: “war begins in the heart of a person; it begins at home, in the family, among friends and then goes out into the whole world.”

The poor and humble people who have faith in the Lord are the victims of the “intellectuals of religion,” and those who are “seduced by clericalism.”

On Oct. 31 the pope will participate in a ceremony to mark 500 years since the start of the Reformation.

“Behind an attitude of rigidity there is always something else in the life of a person. Rigidity is not a gift of God. Meekness is, goodness is, benevolence is, forgiveness is. But rigidity isn’t.”

“When I go to visit the retirement homes for elderly priests I find so many of these great shepherds who have given their lives for the faithful. There they are, sick, paralyzed, in wheelchairs but you can see them smiling straight away."

"Humility never comes without humiliation. And we see Jesus humiliated on the cross,” said Francis.

Pope Francis said silence and prayer is the way to overcome our darkest moments, rather than resorting to pills or alcohol to escape from our woes. His comments came during his homily at the morning Mass celebrated on Tuesday at the Santa Marta residence. Taking his cue from the day’s fir