In the last four centuries the world has experienced crises, progress and changes than cumulatively in all previous times. Christian faith gave Europeans the energy, security and awareness of their mission in the universe which enabled them to formulate science, develop technology and dominate other continents. Obviously, conquest and colonization sprang from motives very foreign to faith; even so, they were unknowingly completing the plan of God who, from the beginning, contemplated the reunion of all nations.

The Church participated in this expansion. In the 19th century there were as many as 100,000 missionaries, priests and religious committed to evangelization and education in Asia, Africa, and America.

However something very important was occurring in Europe. The Church was facing modern culture which had emerged from the Church but which, having become independent of it, was turning out to be an enemy. Learned minds commonly believed that their wisdom was capable of bringing about progress, happiness and peace to humanity. Conversely they saw nothing in the Church but ignorance and prejudice. In short, they saw the Church as the main obstacle to human liberation. Many dared to predict the death of Christianity before the 20th century.

There was no less blindness in the church. It is only a hundred and fifty years since a pope condemned railways as a diabolic invention. The hierarchy was accustomed to teach and to have the last word on every topic. Even today it often is not able to remain silent on problems concerning the laity, where ideally each person should find his/her own way according to faith and conscience, and make responsible decisions with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Church gradually found itself marginalized in many areas. It was tempted to absent itself from the world and stay from the realities of life as a small group of those who know and are saved. Such temptation has always been present. Great apostles have fortunately shown that the Church can fully carry out its mission in the world provided it always comeback to the humble Christ, servant and poor, instead of seeking support from the great of this world or trusting in its banks.

The Church is no more than a minority in the world: about a billion Catholics among six billion inhabitants of the earth. More than ever this minority feels concerned with all that is human, knowing that God saves not only souls but the human race as a whole. Just when the world is seeking its unity, Christianity remains divided. Catholics and Protestants embody the same division that was seen in the two nations of Judah and Israel: the Catholic Church more attached to the authenticity of the faith and to the tradition of the apostles, the Protestants more enthusiastic for the communication of the Word of God. Although unable to unite up to now, they must face together the call of the world where a planetary civilization appears to be in its early stages.