Politics doesn’t have to be unfriendly and confrontational. We can be so much better than that.

In his new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship,” the pope addresses the ways the world has been divided and how certain trends hinder the development of universal fraternity.

Whatever the color of your skin, if you want to be part of the solution, a good place to start would be to participate in the town hall Oct. 26. Vote Nov. 3. And then take action in your community to make things better.

If each and every person takes responsibility for wearing a mask, social distancing and washing their hands frequently, we can make a difference.

As we mark the centenary of the birth of Karol Wojtyla, who became St. John Paul II, it caused me to reflect on moments of my life that intersected with the man who was pope for a great chunk of my life and career in Catholic journalism.

Along comes a new opportunity to experience the Passion of Christ this Holy Week and Easter.

Joseph is a strong role model for someone who accepts the will of the Lord and lives it out.

Marching in Washington, D.C., or Annapolis are important ways to make your voice heard on life issues, but if you want to make a “powerful, impassioned and inspirational” difference, support your local pro-life pregnancy center. 

We don’t stop celebrating his birth just because the stores take down decorations and end the sales. We find the light in the manger and we trek to the Lord with all who seek him.

We have to do something – actually we have to do a lot of somethings: strengthen families, fight poverty, promote the dignity of life – so that when we get to the end of 2020, we’re not looking at 300 or more homicides in Baltimore again.