Two are the basic principles that enable the EU to operate, in Prodi’s opinion: on one side, the "Christian principles of subsidiarity and solidarity" that already belong to Catholicity and that can be taken on to the future; on the other side, the sharing of work within the community. A third "essential task" for Catholics and Christians is "dialogue with the other cultures and religions", especially with Islam, "for peace and for a better understanding between the peoples. We have to work hard at this", he explained, because this is one of "Europe’s prominent abilities". "We have a duty" towards the many Muslims in Europe, first and foremost in terms of integration, which consists in explaining the strength of the European values, finding together a way to reconcile them. "Europe also has a history of reconciliation", to which the meeting with the European Muslims must be added. With the eastwards extension of the EU in 2004 and with the latest entries of Bulgaria and Romania, the EU has resumed breathing with two lungs, states Prodi, quoting John Paul II’s famous image: "This will give back to Europe its history in the awareness that rebuilding history means building one’s future".
