Pope Renews Appeal to Honor Christian Roots

Calling Christianity Europe’s “unifying force,” Pope John Paul II has renewed his appeal to the European Union to recognize the continent’s Christian roots.

The 82-year-old Roman Catholic pontiff made the appeal this month in a brief address to pilgrims gathered for the midday Angelus prayer in the courtyard of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo.

“The Christian faith gave [Europe] form, and some of its fundamental values later inspired the democratic ideal and human rights of modern Europe,” the pope said.

“More than a geographical location, Europe is predominantly a cultural and historical concept, characterizing itself as a continent thanks also to the unifying force of Christianity that has integrated different peoples and cultures.”