“Pope Francis inspired a new generation of people, regardless of their religious affiliation, to be instruments of peace.” Nancy Pelosi, on news that Pope Francis would address a join session of the U.S. Congress. http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/185070/what-others-say-perhaps-pope-francis-can-heal-a-divided-america/

“The family isn’t just a Catholic concern,” said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family, announcing that a delegation of Iranian women including the Iranian Vice-president for Women and Family affairs, Shahindokht Molaverdi would attend…

“Certainly this pope has an ability to bring people together, which can also influence governments.” Shahindokht Molaverdi, Iranian Vice-president for Women and Family affairs on her upcoming visit to Philadelphia with other Iranian Woman for the Roman Catholic World Meeting…

“Its time to step up the search.” Dr. Seth Shostak, Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) institute’s director to a meeting of scientists in San Jose, CA. Shostak proposed that SETI start beaming messages into outer space to see if…

“If you want peace you must prepare for war.” André Wüstner, Chairman, German Armed Forces Association, February 8, 2015 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/11399247/Germanys-head-of-Armed-Forces-Association-If-you-want-peace-prepare-for-war.html

“I do like doing the wedding cakes. But I don’t like hang the government tell me which ones I can make and which ones I can’t make, and trying to control that part of my life.” Jack Phillips, the owner…

“We can only help people to help themselves.” Wolfgang Schäuble, German Finance Minister, in a press conference after a difficult meeting with the Yanis Varoufakis, the finance minister of Greece over Greek debt and austerity. He also said “we agreed…

“In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father’s message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds.” John Boehner, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Catholic, announcing that Pope Francis has…

“Journalism isn’t a crime and should not be treated as such.” Bob Satchwell, of the British Society of Editors, in response to Prime Minister David Cameron’s call for a ban on encrypted messages. http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/13/freedom-of-expression-anti-snooping-campaign-launched-ripa-changes

“And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ.” U.S. President Barack Obama, at the…

“We’ve just been hit at the heart of our liberty.” Anne Hidalgo, mayor of Paris, after gunmen killed 12 people at the editorial offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Another five were killed in other shootings around Paris, plus…

“You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others. There is a limit.” Pope Francis, after the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attacks in Paris in which 17 people died. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30835625