My heart has been troubled by the tragedy of the pandemic. In every corner of the world, I hear reports of the suffering of people whose lives have been disrupted by the coronavirus. I feel sorrow for those who have died, for the family and friends who grieve for them, and for the communities so heavily affected. People worry about the future and worry about their jobs, their children, and how to survive. However, I also feel hope, resilience, and courage in the fight against the virus. I see ordinary people and leaders alike doing their best to protect the vulnerable and to stop the spread of the virus. I see governments implementing innovative policies to try and help those affected, NGOs distributing supplies to the needy, and volunteers stepping up their efforts to save lives. All of these people are true heroes of the pandemic! Furthermore, I am grateful for the advances in medical science. Researchers around the world are working hard to find ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat the virus. Vaccines are being created at a rapid pace, and treatments are becoming more effective. All of this gives us hope for the future and encourages us to continue the fight against the pandemic. In times like these, when the world is in crisis, human strength, courage, and resilience will still shine through and bring us together. I am proud to be part of this beautiful human family. Together, we will overcome this pandemic.