Pope Francis:  "We must never forget that true power, at any level, is service, whose bright summit is upon the Cross. Benedict XVI, with great wisdom, often reminded the Church that although man frequently equates authority with control, dominion, success, for God authority is always synonymous with service, humility, love; it means entering the logic of Jesus who kneels to wash the Apostles' feet (cf. Angelus, 29 January 2012), and says to his disciples: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them.... It shall not be so among you", which is precisely the theme of your meeting, 'it shall not be so among you', "but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave" (Mt 20:25-27). Let us think of the damage done to the People of God by men and women of the Church who are careerists, climbers, who "use" the People, the Church, our brothers and sisters — those they should be serving — as a springboard for their own ends and personal ambitions. These people do the Church great harm.

May you always know how to exercise authority by accompanying, understanding, helping and loving; by embracing every man and every woman, especially people who feel alone, excluded, barren, on the existential margins of the human heart. Let us keep our gaze fixed on the Cross: there is found any authority in the Church, where the One who is the Lord becomes a servant to the point of the total gift of himself."  May 8, 2013 >>>