A few weeks before his 33rd birthday, on an eight-day retreat to prepare for his ordination, Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote a short “Credo,” or statement of his personal beliefs (which can be found at the end of this blog). Here are his most intimate thoughts about the purpose and promise of love, “the greatest power for the transformation of reality.”

When a mother takes her child aside and gently reproves him, saying: “Don’t do this, because…” and explains with great patience, is this the wisdom of God? Yes! It is what the Holy Spirit gives us in life!

Then, in marriage, for example, the two spouses—the husband and wife—argue, and so they don’t look at each other, or if they do look at each other, they look at each other with displeasure. Is this the wisdom of God? No!

Pope Francis was raised by two spirited women: his mother Regina and his grandmother Rosa who lived around the corner from his childhood home in Buenos Aires. His love and appreciation for mothers and grandmothers are evident in his speeches. Here are a few colorful quotes and anecdotes.

Listen to Your Mother