“And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are certainly not the last among the chief towns of Judah, for from you a leader will come forth, who will be the shepherd of my people Israel” (Mt 2:6). These words, which we will hear in our churches, will no doubt cause a twinge of sadness this year. For as I write these lines, workers are at work removing the decorations from the Nativity Square in Bethlehem. Nor will there be the big Christmas tree that we see in the world’s great squares.

From the windows at Newark Airport, I see a large United 787 Dreamliner. It’s not the one that will take me to Guadalajara – where I’m headed for an international seminar of the St. Andrew’s School of Evangelization – but I admit that on this Earth Day, I feel a certain unease.

“During the upcoming 2022-2027 term, the Pius X Secular Institute is committed to being sensitive to the global phenomenon of migration and will promote among its members gestures and actions that raise awareness of this social and human phenomenon in order to foster empathy and solidarity with migrants, displaced persons and refugees.” These are the words found at the beginning of a declaration that the members of the 2022 General Assembly unanimously approved less than a year ago.

International Women’s Day is coming to an end. All over the world, people have been highlighting the valuable contribution of women in society and the struggles still to be fought for the full recognition of their dignity. And rightly so… because it is not because it is 2023 that it is a foregone conclusion.

On Sunday, October 23rd 2022, the Church will celebrate World Mission Sunday. Each year, this day is offered to us so that all believers can renew their missionary impulse. “You will be my witnesses” is the theme proposed for this year.

“People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten.” With these words, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed those present at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19th.

Ten days ago, I had one of the most beautiful experiences of my life ! From July 24 to 29, I had the privilege of being the Holy Father’s translator during his apostolic visit to Canada. For 6 days, I was the voice of Pope Francis !

My heart is saddened since yesterday afternoon, when I learned – once again – of a gun massacre in the United States. This time, the death toll is 19 children in an elementary school, 2 teachers and the perpetrator of this massacre. We are talking about children, for God’s sake, who were probably already thinking about the school vacations scheduled in two days!