In fact, being united to Christ, in the Church, does not negate one's personality, but opens it, transforms it with the power of love, and confers on it, already here on earth, an eternal dimension.

- Angelus Address, 1 November 2012

Believers – the baptized – are never truly cut off from one another.

- Homily, 23 March 2008

Among Christians, fraternity is not just a vague sentiment, nor is it a sign of indifference to truth. It is grounded in the supernatural reality of the one Baptism which makes us members of the one Body of Christ.

- Ecumenical Meeting, 19 August 2005

The Church, at its core, is a Eucharistic community, and therefore a communion in the Body of the Lord.

- Homily, 29 June 2006

In the sacred host, he is present, the true treasure, always waiting for us. Only by adoring this presence do we learn how to receive him properly - we learn the reality of communion, we learn the Eucharistic celebration from the inside.

- Homily, Vespers in Altoetting, 11 September 2006

Whoever places himself at the service of the Gospel, if he lives the Eucharist, makes progress in love of God and neighbor and thus contributes to building the Church as communion. We can affirm that "Eucharistic love" motivates and founds the vocational activity of the whole Church, because, as I wrote in the Encyclical Deus caritas est, vocations to the priesthood and to other ministries and services flourish within the people of God wherever there are those in whom Christ can be seen through his Word, in his sacraments and especially in the Eucharist.

-Message for the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

It is indispensable that, within the Christian people, every ministry and charism be directed to full communion; and it is the duty of the Bishop and priests to promote this communion in harmony with every other Church vocation and service.

-Message for the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Now, docile and faithful listening can only take place in a climate of intimate communion with God which is realized in prayer.

-Message for the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

In order to foster vocations, therefore, it is important that pastoral activity be attentive to the mystery of the Church as communion; because whoever lives in an ecclesial community that is harmonious, co-responsible and conscientious, certainly learns more easily to discern the call of the Lord. The care of vocations, therefore, demands a constant "education" for listening to the voice of God.

-Message for the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The Eucharist is the source of the ecclesial unity for which Jesus prayed on the eve of his passion: "Father...that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).

-Message for the 44th World Day of Prayer for Vocations