Carlos E. Santos Saint Romain ✍🏼's Linkedin Analytics

A belief is not an argument — a fact is. And here’s a fact: I have the best wife in the world. And my daughters the best mom. I will never —EVER— forget how radiant she looked as we welcomed our second child into the world, celebrating her birthday today. Flashback: May 10th, 2021. A full day lecturing at Universidad Hemisferios, projects, phone calls…and a park outing with gelato to keep our first daughter happy. I was about to crash. Suddenly, 20:55, Tessi dropped the news: “The contractions started.” I called my mom to be on standby. Grabbed my Rosary. Started counting. My rule? Three contractions per 10 Hail Mary's = go-time. I finished one. I was sure it was show time. We showered. Packed up. I hit "send" on a scheduled video — part of a project I am proud to have supported with P. Juan Carlos Vasconez 🙏🏻 , supporting the formation to nearly 650 priests worldwide. And we left. Lupi was asleep when we dropped her at my mom’s. I kissed her softly and whispered, “You’re going to be an amazing big sister.” She stirred… then fell back asleep in grandma’s arms. Thanks to the COVID curfew, the streets were empty. By 1:00 a.m., we arrived at the hospital. I kissed Tessi at the entrance. Visitors allowed only after enough dilatation. "We may write you by 6 a.m.", they said. So I waited. In the cold. In the car. My nerves shouting in the soundless night. I called friends in other time zones. Chatted with my sister and brother-in-law. Prayed. Meditated. Answered accumulated Whatsapp messages. But what I really needed... was patience and rest. 8:35 a.m. — the message landed: “The baby’s not coming.” I rushed inside. By 9:00, they tried repositioning her. But that proud, stubborn head — clearly inherited — wouldn’t engage. 10:00 a.m. — we made the call: C-section. For her safety and Tessi's. While they prepped the OR, I sat on a bench — like a substitute in the final minute of a World Cup Final knowing the golden goal, the platinum goal was loading in my leg. Ready to run on. Ready to score. Waiting for the coach to call my name. I nearly broke. I wanted to cry like never before. If anything happened to Tessi... But I held it together. The moment was hers. I knew they were in the best hands — Dr. Andrés Espinosa and his incredible team. Finally, I was called in. And everything changed. At 11:19 a.m., May 11, 2021 — after 40 weeks, 14 hours of labor, and one C-section — our second daughter came to the world with her own light. Over 4kg. Strong. Glowing! Already carrying a soul that felt one month old. A big spirit — just like the saints she’s named after. And with her, the trilogy was sealed: May 11 — Her birth. May 12 — Our wedding. May 13 — Our Lady of Fátima, our engagement . 7 years of marriage. 3 radiant daughters. 1 extraordinary woman who made me a father — again and again. Tessi, I love you. Thank you for everything you are, everything you give, everything you carry. #BestWifi

A Swiss train stops halfway and says, “I am tired, enough for today.” 🤬 But suddenly, it surprises you saying "Choose among these beautiful OMEGA SA/ Patek Philippe/ ROLEX, please. And do not forget to grab a piece of Lindt & Sprüngli on your way out." Well, yesterday this beautiful joke/dream got stuck in the complication of the story, not getting to the resolution. It felt like a nightmare. And the nightmares are becoming commonplace. WHY? I hold a CFF General Travelling pass allowing me to travel all over Switzerland. I pay this monthly hoping to travel in peace and use the 20 hours I travel a week to study and work on my projects coming and going to Munich. However, what happens when the CFF cancels a train? What happens when their delays make you loose your connection with trains, buses, planes from other companies? No explanation. No accountability. No refund. Just excuses. And me, stuck figuring out what step to take! If I forget my pass? A fine. If they forget their duty? Silence. In summary, I respect my part of contract in good faith. But lately, I have felt so unrespected by the other side. Because of this silence, I am starting to doubt the good faith principle of CFF enshrined in the Swiss Constitution. This is not just sooo inconvenient—it’s unfair. And it is happening more and more often. This is at least the second time this happens in a month. With a regular ticket, I could at least ask for a reimbursement. But with a General Abonnement? You just accept it. Like nothing happened. I’m not asking for perfection. I’m asking for communication. A simple heads-up would go a long way. Because right now... I’m questioning whether this “freedom to travel” is worth the price. Has anyone else had this experience with the CFF?

70+ countries. 1 election like never before. But, why is this conclave so special? The next pope will be elected by the most internationally diverse conclave in the Church's history. For the first time ever, cardinals from over 70 countries will be gathering in il Vaticano to pick the next pope. Quick facts: - 252 cardinals at the time of Francis' death - 135 voting cardinals younger than 80 - 108 appointed by Pope Francis - Europe makes up 40% of voters, down from near-total dominance a century ago Why does this matter? - Catholicism is shifting southward and eastward - Representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America is bigger than ever - New voices, new perspectives And when a pope is chosen, there is more at stake than theology; it is also about leadership, geopolitics, and the future of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide. So, who are the cardinals? Can. 351 §1. The Roman Pontiff freely selects men to be promoted as cardinals, who have been ordained at least into the order of the presbyterate and are especially outstanding in doctrine, morals, piety, and prudence in action; those who are not yet bishops must receive episcopal consecration. So, who can be pope? Usually, the pope comes from the College of Cardinals, but this has not always been the case. Not only have laymen (e.g., John XIX, 1024–1032) been elected pope, but also deacons (e.g., Leo X, 1513–1521). Canonical Law 332 §1. states: "The Roman Pontiff obtains full and supreme power in the Church by his acceptance of legitimate election together with episcopal consecration." However, if the person elected lacks episcopal character, he is to be ordained a bishop immediately. The Church has elected several non-bishops to the papacy. Said clearly, a papabile must: (a) be willing, (b) be baptized, (c) be ordained deacon, priest, and bishop in the use of reason to accept the election 🤔 So, as 135 cardinals from over 70 countries gather for this unprecedented conclave reflecting a century of transformation, join believers worldwide in prayer for the future Pope. Pause today to ask for divine wisdom upon the man who will shepherd 1.3 billion Catholics. May he be granted strength, courage, and compassion to unite faithful and non faithful across continents and address the Church's most pressing challenges. And... May the cardinal electors find clarity amid complexity. May they build bridges where divisions have grown. May they speak to both ancient wisdom and modern needs. Whether through prayer, meditation, or simply a positive intention, your participation adds to a global vibe of hope for thoughtful and servant leadership in our time. Share this call with those who care about compassionate global leadership, regardless of their faith tradition. Because, as a matter of fact, the future-being-shaped-in-Rome-today will certainly expand way beyond the Church walls. One minute. One intention. ONE CHURCH. 🙏🏼 #PrayForTheConclave

"Jesús es el Señor de la Locura y los quiere locos por la vida, los quiere locos para que le den vida a los demás." Esta era la fuerza y la pasión del Cardenal Bergoglio por los jóvenes, desde antes de convertirse en el Papa Francisco. Uno de mis discursos favoritos. Espontáneo y al alma. ¡Gracias por todo Jorge! Descansa en Paz. ¡Te vamos a extrañar!