The Pope and Europe: ten words and a dream

“Europe, what happened to you?” Ahead of Pope Francis’ audience with the leaders of EU27 member Countries, still resonates the cry launched almost a year ago by the Holy Father on the occasion of the Conferral of the Charlemagne Prize. Two years before, in two programmatic speeches on the Old Continent delivered in Strasbourg, Francis appealed to avert the risk of a Europe which is now a “grandmother” , weary, afraid, hurt, pessimistic and closed in on herself, tempted more by ruling over spaces that kindling processes, unable to welcome those who, whilst seeking a better future for themselves, risk increasing the death tool in the Mediterranean sea, that has now become a cemetery. Ten words and a dream are the canvas on which the Pope will inscribe the speech of March 24, that promises to be one with a historical bearing, on the day marking the celebrations for the 60^th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.

The earth and the sky. “One of the most celebrated frescoes of Raphael is found in the Vatican and depicts the so-called “School of Athens”. Plato and Aristotle are in the centre. Plato’s finger is pointed upward, to the world of ideas, to the sky, to heaven as we might say. Aristotle holds his hand out before him, towards the viewer, towards the world, concrete reality. This strikes me as a very apt image of Europe and her history, made up of the constant interplay between heaven and earth, where the sky suggests that openness to the transcendent – to God – which has always distinguished the peoples of Europe, while the earth represents Europe’s practical and concrete ability to confront situations and problems.” (Address to the European Parliament, Strasbourg, November 25 2014)

Unity and diversity “The motto of the European Union is United in Diversity. Unity, however, does not mean uniformity of political, economic and cultural life, or ways of thinking. Indeed, all authentic unity draws from the rich diversities which make it up: in this sense it is like a family, which is all the more united when each of its members is free to be fully himself or herself. I consider Europe as a family of peoples.” (Address at the European Parliament, Strasbourg, November 25 2014)

The human person and the family. “To give Europe hope means more than simply acknowledging the centrality of the human person; it also implies nurturing the gifts of each man and woman. It means investing in individuals and in those settings in which their talents are shaped and flourish. The first area surely is that of education, beginning with the family, the fundamental cell and most precious element of any society. The family, united, fruitful and indissoluble, possesses the elements fundamental for fostering hope in the future. Without this solid basis, the future ends up being built on sand, with dire social consequences.” (address at the European Parliament, Strasbourg, November 25 2014)

Identity and dialogue. “Where is your vigour? Where is that idealism which inspired and ennobled your history? Where is your spirit of curiosity and enterprise? Where is your thirst for truth, a thirst which hitherto you have passionately shared with the world? The future of the continent will depend on the answer to these questions. Returning to Rebora’s image of the tree, a trunk without roots can continue to have the appearance of life, even as it grows hollow within and eventually dies. Europe should reflect on whether its immense human, artistic, technical, social, political, economic and religious patrimony is simply an artefact of the past, or whether it is still capable of inspiring culture and displaying its treasures to mankind as a whole.” (Address to the Council of Europe, November 25 2014)

Memory and future. “A two-thousand-year-old history links Europe and Christianity. It is a history not free of conflicts and errors, and sins, but one constantly driven by the desire to work for the good of all. We see this in the beauty of our cities, and even more in the beauty of the many works of charity and constructive human cooperation throughout this continent. This history, in large part, must still be written. It is our present and our future.” (Address at the European Parliament, Strasbourg, November 25 2014)

The dream. “With mind and heart, with hope and without vain nostalgia, like a son who rediscovers in Mother Europe his roots of life and faith, I dream of a new European humanism, one that involves a constant work of humanization and calls for memory, courage, and a sound and humane utopian vision.

I dream of a Europe that is young, still capable of being a mother: a mother who has life because she respects life and offers hope for life. I dream of a Europe that cares for children, that offers fraternal help to the poor and those newcomers seeking acceptance because they have lost everything and need shelter.

I dream of a Europe that is attentive to and concerned for the infirm and the elderly, lest they be simply set aside as useless. I dream of a Europe where being a migrant is not a crime but a summons to greater commitment on behalf of the dignity of every human being. I dream of a Europe where young people breathe the pure air of honesty, where they love the beauty of a culture and a simple life undefiled by the insatiable needs of consumerism, where getting married and having children is a responsibility and a great joy, not a problem due to the lack of stable employment. I dream of a Europe of families, with truly effective policies concentrated on faces rather than numbers, on birth rates more than rates of consumption. I dream of a Europe that promotes and protects the rights of everyone, without neglecting its duties towards all. I dream of a Europe of which it will not be said that its commitment to human rights was its last utopia. (Address upon the conferral of the Charlemagne Prize, May 6 2016)