Translated material
The Pope recognized Europe as old and emaciated
Pope Francis, in his speech at the European Parliament, stated the crisis that Europe is facing. According to the pontiff, other countries are increasingly indifferent to the "old and haggard" Europe, which ceases to be the main character in the world.
Among the main problems of the continent, Francis named youth unemployment, the cult of consumption and the influx of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East. “We cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a huge grave,” the pope said, referring to the many deaths of migrants trying to reach Europe by boat and speedboat.
“The time has come to abandon the image of a Europe that is frightened and preoccupied only with itself, in order to revive and support its desire for leadership,” Francis said.
“The great ideas that once inspired Europe have lost their appeal and given way to the bureaucratic formalities of its institutions.” – Pope Francis
- The head of the Catholic Church has not spoken in the European Parliament since 1988, when such a visit was made by Pope John Paul II.
- Francis' visit to Strasbourg was only his fifth trip abroad. It turned out to be a record short - dad spent less than 4 hours in Strasbourg. At the same time, he rejected the offer of the clergy to deliver a sermon in the cathedral.