"Both these attitudes in St. Paul proceed from perfect love. His desire to depart from this life means he would be in perfect union with Jesus Christ in glory, and that would be better for him, that is, it would be more desirable than continuing to live on this earth. This desire is grounded in the perfect charity he has toward God. The other desire also proceeds from perfect charity, but its immediate goal is the salvation of his neighbor. This second desire, then, is motivated by his principal goal, God, but its outworking is expressed in relation to the salvation of souls.

Leaving his body is more beneficial to him, and he desires that as ardently as any righteous soul desires to be united to God. As for continuing to remain on earth in the midst of toil and trouble for the salvation of souls, being full of the spirit of Jesus Christ he sees that his staying would be more beneficial for others."

-St. Pio of Pietrelcina