Pope calls on European Union to reaffirm its Christian identity

Published: 2004-05-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Europe must reaffirm -- not eliminate -- its Christian roots if it is to face the challenges of the third millennium, Pope John Paul II said the day after 10 new nations joined the European Union. "The vital lifeblood of the Gospel can guarantee Europe that its development will be in keeping with its identity, in freedom and solidarity, in justice and peace," the pope said May 2 before praying the "Regina Coeli" from the window of his Vatican apartment. "Only by rediscovering -- not removing -- its Christian roots will Europe be able to face the enormous challenges of the third millennium: peace, dialogue between cultures and religions, and the protection of creation," he said. The pope repeated his call for greater commitment to Christian values in the new Europe the day after the European Union welcomed Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Cyprus as new members.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .