Pope Leo said Europe’s “Judeo-Christian roots” are the only way to understand its identity, after criticising US policy on the continent. At an audience in Rome with members of the European Conservative and Reformist (ECR) group of the European Parliament, the Pope praised “the rich ethical principles and patterns of thought that are the intellectual patrimony of Christian Europe.” “These are essential for safeguarding the divinely bestowed rights and inherent worth of every human person, from conception to natural death,” he said. “They are likewise fundamental for responding to the challenges presented by poverty, social exclusion, economic deprivation, as well as by the ongoing climate crisis, violence and war.”
He had voiced concerns about the US peace plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, warning that it excludes Europe from negotiations. He told reporters that “unfortunately, some parts of it that I have seen make a huge change to what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States”.
Leo has previously insisted that peace negotiations must include contributions from European powers. Critics of the plan, which demands significant territorial and diplomatic concessions from Ukraine, warn that it accepts Russian demands and undermines Ukrainian and European security.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had visited the Pope at Castel Gandolfo earlier on Tuesday as he toured European capitals to rally support after a series of unfriendly diplomatic interventions from the US.
In an interview with the Politico website broadcast, US President Donald Trump said many European nations were “decaying” and “will not be viable countries any longer” due to immigration – which he blamed on “weak” leaders who had also failed to bring peace in Ukraine.
During his remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo said that “remarks that are made about Europe, also in interviews recently, I think, are trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance [between Europe and the US] today and in the future”. “I believe Europe’s role is very important, and the unity of European countries is truly significant, especially in this case,” he said.
“Trying to reach a peace agreement without including Europe in the discussions is not realistic. The war is in Europe, and I believe that Europe must be part of the security guarantees sought today and in the future.”
He continued: “Unfortunately, not everyone understands this, but I believe there is a great opportunity for the idea of Europe to come together and seek solutions collectively.”
