Mission
Hot Topics
Al Sabaileh: the Abraham Accords and Trump’s second term
Argentine bishops invite the Pope (once again) to visit the country
Catholics bring their bishop to justice… for blasphemy. Italian justice admits case
Relics of St. Francis Xavier on display: crowds throng to see them
[PHOTO GALLERY] Ukrainian First Lady before the Pope: this was the visit to Rome
Pope Francis to visit France on December 15, 2024
Macron in the square, the archbishop in the cathedral, the Pope in the Vatican: this is what the reopening of Notre Dame will be like
USA: bishop reestablishes the Old Church Order of Widows for his diocese
Rising Rebellion: Italian Clergy Sanctioned for Rejecting Pope Francis
Letter of His Holiness Pope Francis on the Renewal of the Study of Church History
Día

mayo 13th, 2002

VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2002 (Zenit.org).-The process of integration, underway in parts of Europe and other areas of the globe, must not create "impregnable fortresses," but encourage solidarity, states papal message.

The message, written on behalf of the Holy Father by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, was addressed to the first Social Congress on Latin America and the European Union. The Congress is being held May 13 and 14 in El Escorial, Madrid, by the Episcopates of the two continents.

The message, along with the motto "Together for the Common Universal Good. The Church´s Contribution," was read at the opening of the Congress by Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Apostolic Nuncio in Spain.

Organized by the Commission of Bishops of the Conference of the European Community (COMECE), the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), and the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), the Social Congress is analyzing the Church´s contribution to closer cooperative relations between Latin America and the European Union, as a stage toward the common good.

According to the papal message, "it is hoped that the present process of rapprochement between nations in the same geographic zone, with similar culture and mentality, will be an important stage toward the ´globalization of solidarity.´"

"Such rapprochement must be carried out with a spirit of openness and respect toward each one of the countries," the papal message states.

"In fact, if nationalism, which at times certainly exalts itself excessively, was replaced by some wider regional organizations, constructed to serve as authentic impregnable fortresses, humanity would gain little, solidarity would not increase among human beings, nor would the degradation of the created world diminish," the message explains.

"As opposed to a culture of death, mistrust, and rejection of the other," the Secretary of State´s letter calls for the promotion of "a culture of truth, trust, and effective commitment to others, especially the needy."