Although these messages were originally given by Pope Francis to educators in Argentina while he was cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires, in a certain time and place, with particular social, political, and economic problems in view, they have universal appeal. The cardinal began these reflections with the assertion that teaching is an act of hope, which requires a vision of what it means to be human, the belief that this vision can be realized to some degree even in a fallen world, and the creativity to find ways to achieve it.