杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

As Cardinal electors prepare to gather in the Sistine Chapel for the Conclave on May 7, international institutions and leaders worldwide continue to pay homage to 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� legacy.

The European Parliament opened its plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday, 5 May, with an official commemoration marked by a moment of silence for the late Pontiff.

杏MAP导航 Francis during his visit to the European Institutions in Strasbourg in 2014

A moral authority working for peace

Introducing the commemoration, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, highlighted 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥檚 enduring message of unity and compassion. He 鈥渨ill be remembered for his inspiring leadership, moral authority, and kindness, seizing every opportunity to speak in favour of a more humane, peaceful, and united world," she said.

In her speech, Metsola  recalled and quoted the message he wrote in the Parliament鈥檚 guest-book during his visit to Strasbourg in 2014 in which he espressed his hope that Europe, 鈥渁ware of its past鈥� may look to the future 鈥渨ith confidence鈥� and live the present 鈥渨ith hope.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis' call for a more courageous and compassionate Europe

"While this Assembly mourns his loss, we also recall his call for action and collaboration by all for a better, more compassionate, and courageous Europe, she said, before the minute of silence.

The President's remarks were echoed by those of other members of the European Parliament across the political spectrum.

A man of dialogue

Manfred Weber of the centre European People鈥檚 Party (PPE) emphasized the late 杏MAP导航鈥檚 vision of Europe rooted in Christian identity and unity. European Social-Democrat Iratxe García Pérez described him as 鈥渢he 杏MAP导航 of the poor and the marginalized,鈥� lauding his advocacy for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land.

French Jordan Bardella of the far-right Patriots Parliamentary Group honoured the late 杏MAP导航 as 鈥渁 man of dialogue鈥� who cared deeply for society鈥檚 most fragile. Italian Nicola Procaccini, of the Conservatives parliamentary group,  praised his commitment to a globally engaged Church, although acknowledging differing views over migration policies.

Billy Kelleher of the centrist 鈥淩enew Europe鈥� group called 杏MAP导航 Francis 鈥渁 teacher for all of us.鈥�

According to Alice Kuhnke of the Green Party, the late 杏MAP导航 "reminded us of the duty to overcome our indifference鈥�, while Martin Schirdewan of the The Left party underscored the his advocacy for human rights and social justice.