Quotessence
Home / Authors / Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI Quotes

Author

Filter quotes by topic

AllChristChurchFaithWorldHumansInspirationPeopleChristian InspirationalNeedsMenJesusIfsHeartCatholicPersonsChristianJoyDoeLordWay

Famous Pope Benedict XVI Quotes

“Popular piety is one of our strengths because it consists of prayers deeply rooted in people's hearts. These prayers even move the hearts of people who are somewhat cut off from the life of the Church and who have no special understanding of faith. All that is required is to 'illuminate' these actions and 'purify' this tradition so that it may become part of the life of the Church today.”

PeopleHeartMayTodayActionMovingUnderstandingChurchPrayerCuttingSpecialTraditionRootedPietyChurch Today
Book:Questions and Answers
Create image

“Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments, is the first means by which we come to know the Lord’s will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God’s call. Programs, plans and projects have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God’s call.”

PeopleIfsKnowsFirstsWellsMeanChristianYoungBornPrayerLordTeachKnow HowGraceOur LivesPlansPrayingProjectsProgramCatholicFruitDialogueIntimateTrustedDiscipleSacramentsVocationDiscernmentFormationCooperatingCatholic Family
Book:Pope Benedict in America: The Full Texts of Papal Talks Given During His Apostolic Visit to the United States
Create image

“Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of "environmental refugees", people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it - and often their possessions as well - in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement? Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources? All these are issues with a profound impact on the exercise of human rights, such as the right to life, food, health and development.”

PeopleHumansWellsFacesOrderNaturalIssuesGrowingRightsDangerDevelopmentExerciseConflictResourcesImpactProfoundEnvironmentalHuman RightsPossessionAccessUncertaintyPhenomenonSustainabilityRefugeeInvolvingDegradationDisregardNatural ResourcesForsakeHabitatRight To LifeDisplacementNatural Habitats
Book:The Garden of God
Create image

“Love in truth-caritas in veritate-is a great challenge for the Church in a world that is becoming progressively and pervasively globalized. The risk for our time is that the de facto interdependence of people and nations is not matched by ethical interaction of consciences and minds that would give rise to truly human development. Only in charity, illumined by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value.”

PeopleWorldGivingMindHumansReasonLightValuesNationsGoalChallengesChurchRiskDevelopmentBecomingConscienceCharityEnvironmentalPursueOur TimeEthicalSustainabilityInteractionHumaneHuman DevelopmentInterdependenceMatched
Book:Charity in Truth
Create image

“Humanity today is rightly concerned about the ecological balance of tomorrow. It is important for assessments in this regard to be carried out prudently, in dialogue with experts and people of wisdom, uninhibited by ideological pressure to draw hasty conclusions, and above all with the aim of reaching agreement on a model of sustainable development capable of ensuring the well-being of all while respecting environmental balances.”

PeopleWellsImportantTodayHumanityDevelopmentBalanceTomorrowCapableModelsDrawsConcernedPressureRegardAimEnvironmentalDialogueConclusionWell BeingExpertsReachingAgreementSustainabilityIdeologicalEcologicalAssessmentSustainable DevelopmentHastyEcological Balance
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“Lifting one's gaze to the living God, the guarantor of our freedom and of truth, is a premise for arriving at a new humanity. Nowadays, in a special way, the world needs people capable of proclaiming and bearing witness to God who is love, and consequently the one light which in the end, illumines the darkness of the world and gives us strength to live and work”

PeopleWorldWayNeedsGivingEndsLightHumanityDarknessSpecialTruth IsCapableWitnessPremisesLiftingArrivingProclaimingBearing Witness
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“the Twelve Apostles are the most evident sign of Jesus' will regarding the existence and mission of his Church, the guarantee that between Christ and the Church there is no opposition: despite the sins of the people who make up the Church, they are inseparable. Therefore, a slogan that was popular some years back, 'Jesus yes, Church no,' is totally inconceivable with the intention of Christ. This individualistically chosen Jesus is an imaginary Jesus.”

PeopleYearsJesusChristChurchSinExistenceIntentionMissionsChosenDespiteGuaranteesOppositionTwelveImaginaryEvidentSlogansApostlesInseparableGuarantees That
Book:Jesus, the Apostles, and the Early Church
Create image

“Anyone who knows he is loved is in turn prompted to love. It is the Lord himself, who loved us first, who asks us to place at the center of our lives love for him and for the people he has loved. It is especially adolescents and young people, who feel within them the pressing call to love, who need to be freed from the widespread prejudice that Christianity, with its commandments and prohibitions, sets too many obstacles in the path of the joy of love and, in particular prevents people from fully enjoying the happiness that men and women find in their love for one another.”

PeopleKnowsMenNeedsFeelsFirstsYoungJoyTurnsAsksEnjoyChristianityLordPathOur LivesParticularMen And WomenPrejudiceObstaclesLove LifeCommandmentsProhibition
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“Authentic love is obviously something good... When we love, we become most fully ourselves, most fully human... People often think they are being loving when actually they are being possessive or manipulative. People sometimes treat others as objects to satisfy their own needs... How easy it is to be deceived by the many voices in our society that advocate a permissive approach to sexuality, without regard for modesty, self-respect or the moral values that bring quality to human relationships! This is worship of a false god. Instead of bringing life, it brings death.”

PeopleLifeNeedsHumansSelfSometimesValuesEasyVoiceLove IsQualityMoralObjectsApproachWorshipTreatsRegardSexualitySelf RespectOur SocietyModestyDeceivedHuman RelationsLife DeathHuman RelationshipsMoral ValuesPossessiveManipulativeFalse Gods
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“Dear young people, we have seen that it is the Holy Spirit who brings about the wonderful communion of believers in Jesus Christ. True to his nature as giver and gift alike, he is even now working through you. Let unifying love be your measure; abiding love your challenge; self-giving love your mission!”

PeopleLifeGivingSelfYoungSpiritJesusChristChallengesLove IsWonderfulLove YouHolyJesus ChristDearMissionsBelieverHoly SpiritCommunionGiverAbidingUnifyingSelf GivingGiving LoveAbiding Love
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“How many people also in our time are in search of God, in search of Jesus and of his Church, in search of divine mercy, and are waiting for a "sign" that will touch their minds and their hearts! Today, as then, the Evangelist reminds us that the only "sign" is Jesus raised on the cross: Jesus who died and rose is the absolutely sufficient sign. Through him we can understand the truth about life and obtain salvation.”

PeopleMindHeartTodayJesusWaitingChurchDivineCrossesMercyDiedSalvationRoseRaisedSufficientOur TimeEvangelistsDivine MercyTruth About Life
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!....Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God's infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!”

PeopleWorldWayYoungKnownTechnologyParticularBearsNewsInfiniteWitnessAppealsDigitalNew WaysTechnologicalGood NewsNew TechnologyInfinite LoveDigital World
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“The main task for us all is that of a new evangelization aimed at helping younger generations to rediscover the true face of God, who is Love. To you young people, who are in search of a firm hope, I address the very words that Saint Paul wrote to the persecuted Christians in Rome at that time: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13).”

PeopleBelieveMayHelpingChristianFacesYoungJoySpiritGenerationsHolyTasksSaintFirmHoly SpiritAddressesRomePersecutedYounger GenerationSaint Paul
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“I think in particular of our need to speak to the hearts of young people, who, despite their constant exposure to messages contrary to the Gospel, continue to thirst for authenticity, goodness and truth. Much remains to be done, particularly on the level of preaching and catechesis in parishes and schools, if the new evangelization is to bear fruit for the renewal of ecclesial life in America.”

PeopleIfsThinkingNeedsHeartDoneSchoolAmericaYoungSpeakLevelsParticularBearsGoodnessMessagesRemainsConstantFruitContraryAuthenticityDespitePreachingThirstExposureRenewalParishGoodness And Truth
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“I thank you, dear Brothers, for preaching the love of Christ and exhorting your people to tolerance, respect and love of their brothers and sisters and of all persons. In this way you exercise the prophetic ministry that the Lord has entrusted to the Church, and in particular to the Successors of the Apostles (cf. Pastores Gregis, 26).”

PeopleWayPersonsChristChurchLordParticularBrotherExerciseAnd LoveDearToleranceMinistryPreachingBrothers And SistersApostlesPropheticLove And RespectSuccessorsCfsDear Brother
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“One of the promising indications of a renewal in the Church's missionary consciousness in recent decades, has been the growing desire of many lay men and women [...] to cooperate generously in the 'missio ad gentes.' As Vatican Council II stressed, the work of evangelization is a fundamental duty incumbent upon the whole People of God.”

PeopleMenHas BeensWholeDesireChurchConsciousnessGrowingDutyMen And WomenFundamentalsLaysDecadesAdsMissionaryCouncilRenewalStressedIndicationIncumbents
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“The world needs more than just itself. Amid the dreariness, people do not need a distraction that will in the end become dreary itself; they are asking for mystery, even if they do not realize this themselves. They need the sign of the wholly Other, the living Word of God, entering into this our age in unadulterated trustworthiness and dynamism.”

PeopleIfsWorldNeedsEndsInspirationAgeFaithRealizingMysteryAskingChristian InspirationalWord Of GodDistractionEnteringDrearyTrustworthinessDynamism
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“Sometimes we are looked upon as people who speak only of prohibitions. Nothing could be further from the truth! Authentic Christian discipleship is marked by a sense of wonder. We stand before the God we know and love as a friend, the vastness of his creation, and the beauty of our Christian faith.”

PeopleKnowsSometimesInspirationChristianFaithSpeakWonderCreationAnd LoveChristian InspirationalDiscipleshipProhibitionChristian FaithVastnessSense Of WonderChristian Discipleship
Book:Pope Benedict in America: The Full Texts of Papal Talks Given During His Apostolic Visit to the United States
Create image

“When, for example, in the name of non-discrimination, people try to force the Catholic Church to change her position on homosexuality or the ordination of women, then that means that she is no longer allowed to live out her own identity and that, instead, an abstract, negative religion is being made into a tyrannical standard that everyone must follow. That is then seemingly freedom — for the sole reason that it is liberation from the previous situation.”

PeopleTryingMeanMadeReasonNamesForceChurchSituationExampleIdentityPositionStandardsNegativeCatholicDiscriminationLiberationAbstractSoleHomosexualityCatholic ChurchOrdination
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“To make a concrete response to the appeal of our brothers and sisters in humanity, we must come to grips with the first of these challenges: solidarity among generations, solidarity between countries and entire continents, so that all human beings may share more equitably in the riches of our planet. This is one of the essential services that people of good will must render to humanity. The earth, in fact, can produce enough to nourish all its inhabitants, on the condition that the rich countries do not keep for themselves what belongs to all.”

PeopleFirstsHumansMayCountryEnoughFactsEarthHumanityChallengesJusticeHuman BeingsRichGenerationsShareConditionsProducePlanetsBrotherEssentialsSocial JusticeResponseRichesAppealsConcreteContinentsSolidarityBrothers And SistersOur PlanetGood WillRich Countries
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy. Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals. Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.”

PeopleIfsDoeRunningYoungJoySufferingChristSourceHighestIdealsAnd LoveDearContrarySatisfiedEncountersRootedTrue HappinessSetbackJoy And HappinessTruth And Love
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image

“The discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God's call.”

PeopleIfsKnowsYoungLordKnow HowPrayingFruitDialogueIntimateTrustedDiscipleVocationDiscernment
Book:Pope Benedict in America: The Full Texts of Papal Talks Given During His Apostolic Visit to the United States
Create image

“The more ardent the love for the Eucharist in the hearts of the Christian people, the more clearly will they recognize the goal of all mission: to bring Christ to others. Not just a theory or a way of life inspired by Christ, but the gift of his very person. Anyone who has not shared the truth of love with his brothers and sisters has not yet given enough.”

PeopleWayHeartPersonsEnoughChristianGivenGoalChristBrotherTheoryInspiredMissionsBrothers And SistersEucharistArdent
Author:Pope Benedict XVI
Create image