杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff writer

杏MAP导航 Francis, in a letter to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, shares his visions of a Europe of the future, marked with solidarity, friendship and unity, and true to the spirit of the continent鈥檚 founding fathers.

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 letter comes as the Holy See and the Church in Europe celebrate three anniversaries this year.

First, the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the then-European Community and the Holy See, by its presence as an Observer at the Council of Europe. Second, the founding of the Commission of the Bishops鈥� Conferences of the European Communities (COMECE), forty years ago. Third, this year also marks the seventieth anniversary of the Schuman Declaration which inspired the continent鈥檚 gradual process of reintegration after the two world wars.

In light of these notable occasions, Cardinal Parolin is to make significant visits to EU authorities, the Plenary Assembly of the COMECE and the authorities of the Council of Europe in the near future.

The European Project

In his letter released on Tuesday, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted that the European project, born of the realization that 鈥渦nity is greater than conflict鈥� and solidarity can be 鈥渁 way of making history鈥�, has began to 鈥渟how signs of a certain regression鈥� in our days.

The Covid-19 pandemic, the 杏MAP导航 noted, 鈥渉as emerged as a kind of watershed, forcing us to take a stand.鈥� We can continue to go at it alone, 鈥渟eeking unilateral solutions to a problem that transcends state borders鈥� or rediscover the path of fraternity that inspired and guided the founders of modern Europe, beginning with Robert Schuman.

Europe, find yourself!

Pointing out that an age of rapid change can bring with it 鈥渁 loss of identity, especially when there is a lack of shared values,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis urged the continent, re-echoing the words of 杏MAP导航 Saint John Paul II in the Santiago de Compostela, saying: 鈥渇ind yourself, be yourself.鈥�

He called on the continent not to look back at its past 鈥渁s an album of memories鈥�, but rather to rediscover its 鈥渕ost deeply-rooted ideals.鈥�

鈥淏e yourself! Do not be afraid of your millenary history, which is a window open to the future more than the past. Do not be afraid of that thirst of yours for truth, which, from the days of ancient Greece, has spread throughout the world and brought to light the deepest questions of every human being. Do not be afraid of the thirst for justice that developed from Roman law and in time became respect for all human beings and their rights. Do not be afraid of your thirst for eternity, enriched by the encounter with the Judeo-Christian tradition reflected in your patrimony of faith, art and culture,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said.

Europe of the future

Reflecting on the kind of Europe we envision for the future and its distinctive contribution to the world, 杏MAP导航 Francis laid out four images.

First, a 鈥淓urope that is a friend to each and all.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said he envisions a land 鈥渞espectful of everyone鈥檚 dignity, in which each person is appreciated for his or her intrinsic worth鈥� 鈥� not from an economic standpoint or as a mere consumer. A continent that protects life at every stage, from conception until its natural end, as well as a land that promotes work as a means of personal growth and the creation of employment opportunities.

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� second dream is of a 鈥淓urope that is a family and a community.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 said he aspires for a land respectful of the 鈥渄istinctiveness of each individual and every people鈥�, which becomes a 鈥済enuine family of peoples, all different yet linked by a common history and destiny.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 also dreams of an 鈥渋nclusive and generous鈥� Europe which is 鈥渨elcoming and hospitable,鈥� and where charity 鈥� the highest Christian virtue - overcomes every form of selfishness and indifference. Here, solidarity, which demands that we care for one another, will lead us towards 鈥済uiding those most vulnerable towards personal and social growth.鈥� 

As solidarity also involves 鈥渂eing a neighbor to others,鈥� it will mean for Europe to be willing, 鈥渢hrough international cooperation to offer generous assistance to other continents鈥� including Africa where 鈥渢here is a need to resolve conflicts and to pursue a sustainable human development.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 also urged Europe to meet the present challenge of migrants, enabling them 鈥渢o learn, respect and assimilate the culture and traditions of the nations that welcome them.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� fourth dream is of a Europe marked by a healthy secularism 鈥渨here God and Caesar remain distinct but not opposed.鈥� The Holy Father said he thinks of a land where believers are free to profess their faith in public and to put forward their points of view in society.

Christians have a task

鈥淐hristians today have a great responsibility,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淭hey are called to serve as a leaven in reviving Europe鈥檚 conscience and help generate processes capable of awakening new energies in society.鈥�

The Holy Father, therefore, enjoined all believers to 鈥渃ontribute with commitment, courage and determination to every sector in which they live and work.鈥�

Concluding, 杏MAP导航 Francis entrusted Europe to the protection of her patrons: Saints Benedict, Cyril and Methodius, Bridget, Catherine, and Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.