"Pilgrim of hope and peace". This is how Pope Francis defined himself in a video addressed to all Colombians two days before beginning his visit to the Latin American country. Francis brings a message of fraternity and reconciliation to a Colombia in the process of peace after 30 years of terrorism, coming from the guerrilla and drug trafficking.

Some might believe that this message is intended only for Colombia, a country marked by more than fifty years of conflict. Not only between the Army and the FARC, or between the Government, the guerrillas and the cartels; but also between parties, companies and party interests. To consider that "peace and reconciliation" are words only for the Colombian people would be to forget that we are in a "third world war in pieces", as the Pope repeats. Colombia is not the only place victim of the conflict, in spite of movies and series.

Peace begins with God. For this reason, the message that Francis will transmit to the Colombians has a universal and above all religious interest. The Pope speaks for all, not just for a few. He exhorts us to reconcile ourselves: with God, with our neighbor, with creation. The poor and the environment go together in the "ecological conversion" to which Francis calls us.

"Let's take the first step" is the motto of Pope Francis' visit to Colombia. It is a motto, but also something more. Let us draw closer to God. We can turn it into a life program, which implies leaving the place we occupy, perhaps comfortably, to meet with Him and others. In this way, step by step, we will leave the individualistic and comfortable culture in which we live and build true communities in which God, people and the world live together in true peace.