” “"Among the many challenges which mgr. Montini, then Pope Paul VI, had to reckon with, the European one, what with wars and totalitarianisms, was not the less demanding one". It was stated in a note for SIR Europa (old.agensir.it) by the historian of the University of Lyons, Jean-Dominique Durand, in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the Brescia-born Pontiff’s death (6 August 1978). "Just after the war highlights Durand -, mgr. Montini supported the cause of a Europe of reconciliation, and thought the Catholics had a prophetic responsibility for rebuilding Europe" on that basis. According to him, Europe was "first and foremost a spiritual issue" and "to highlight the fundamental unity of the continent" he proclaimed Saint Benedict "the main patron saint of all Europe". During his papacy, comments the historian, "he never stopped supporting, following and encouraging the process of unity. Uniting Europe is ‘a duty’, he stated to the young Christian Democrats in 1964". A view that "was not limited to Western Europe only", explains Durand. According to the historian, "at a time of crisis in Europe, of doubts, Paul VI’s long-sighted view reminds us that uniting the European peoples is an integral part of the Civilisation of Love that the Gospel asks Christians and all men of good will to accomplish".” “
