The European Pope

Follow excerpts of the address on John Paul II and Europe delivered by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Bishops, on April 6 in Trieste (Italy).In over twenty-six years of his pontificate John Paul II conveyed deeply European sentiments, and not only because of all 20th century Popes his was the most extensive doctrinal teaching regarding the European Continent, but also for his specific interest in Europe; an interest he cherished already as a priest, as man of culture and Archbishop of Krakow, that came to an apex after he ascended the Papal throne. His addresses and speeches are all marked by the commitment to overcome divisions, thus enabling Europe to breathe with two lungs, the Eastern and Western lungs. During his Pontificate Europe experienced an epochal period and the Pope had the joy of witnessing the fall of the Berlin wall, the symbol of this divide. Indeed, I preserve vivid, touching recollections of Pope John Paul II, while with his back hunched and with slow, difficult steps he crossed the Brandenburg Door in Berlin near Chancellor Helmut Kohl, in 1996, seven years since the fall of the Wall. The pope explicitly asked to cross the door leaving his cane behind. And the Chancellor, at a certain point, reached his arm out to him so that the Holy Father could rest on it. John Paul II equally committed himself to prevent Europe from being crushed by the mounting wave of secularism, enabling it to recover its roots and become the continent of spiritual values. In continuity with the Magisterium of Pope Paul VI, John Paul II has always been convinced that European identity is rooted in Christianity. For this reason he placed all of his energy to ensure that the so-called “Constitutional Treaty” that was being drawn up at the time would make explicit mention of the Christian roots of Europe. It represented the acknowledgement of true historical facts, since Christianity – Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants alike – largely contributed to give a soul and a face to European civilization.In order to address the phenomenon of mounting secularism, the Pope called for a commitment that would promote a renewed quality of evangelization, capable of reintroducing in convincing terms the eternal message of salvation across contemporary Europe. Aware of the longing for spiritual and human renewal, the Pope underlined the urgent need to “re-evangelise” the Old Continent, calling upon all components of the People of God to undertake this commitment. This effort – he said – will serve to rebuild the Europe of progress and wellbeing on the grounds of the spiritual values that characterized its historical past. It isn’t a new Gospel. The question consists in reviving in convincing terms the eternal message of salvation for contemporary man, providing an adequate answer to the signs of the times, to the contemporary needs of mankind and of peoples, acknowledging the new European scenarios. Looking at contemporary Europe, John Paul II noted the existence of forces that tend to marginalize Christian faithful. Unfortunately we must acknowledge that this is true. But fortunately there are conflicting forces, which instead do reaffirm the importance of the presence of Christian faithful and Christian witness. Indeed, there are those who realized the importance of Christianity not only in the past but also for the present and for the future and that a great and beautiful future is possible only if Europe will not loose her Christian identity. Living near him, a lot of what he did was reason for admiration. His ability to speak to the crowds was impressive, along with the appeal he had on the youth, his courage, his talent for different languages; his humanness and the deepness of his thought. But what most impressed me was the intensity of his prayer. A deep and profound prayer, bound to traditions and to Church piety. When he prayed he seemed to loose awareness of the passing of time. His life was marked by an admirable synthesis of prayer and action. His spirituality was focused on Christ as the true God and true man. Pope John Paul II had two heartfelt dimensions: the worship of God’s mercy and a tender devotion to the Holy Virgin. For this reason it is opportune that his beatification take place on May 1st: the beginning of the Marian month, the feast that celebrates God’s mercy, Workers’ Day. For a Pope that in his life was also a labour-worker, it is a happy coincidence.