Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash
Centre right EU political leaders have had a formal audience with the Pope in Rome.
EPP leaders from the European Parliament met His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
During growing global instability, the EPP Group Presidency said “Europe must draw strength from Christian values.”
It added, “These values defend peace, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen solidarity.”
As well as meeting the Pope, the full day in Rome included dialogue and meetings with other Vatican officials.
Following the papal audience, EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber MEP stressed: “After the meeting with the Holy Father, I feel a deep sense of gratitude.”
The German MEP said, “Christian values are a cornerstone of European solidarity. As Christian Democrats, we want to shape a Europe that is a home for all – protecting the weak, defending peace, and building bridges. Politics rooted in faith and values can unite, protect, and inspire hope.”
The meetings, initiated by the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue, also engaged with representatives of the Vatican State and diplomatic envoys of EU Member States accredited to the Holy See.
Željana Zovko MEP, Co-Chair of the EPP Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue, added: “I am honoured that we were received by Pope Leo in Rome.”
“This audience comes at a crucial time as we, as Christian Democrats, strive to foster just peace in crisis areas and stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians. It underlines our commitment to living Christian values through politics and to the deeper mission of achieving peace through dialogue.”
The EPP has also restated its support for Ukraine.This comes just ahead of an summit of EU leaders in Copenhagen.
Nicolas Pascual de la Parte MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman in the Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee, aid, “After the Russian airspace violations, we couldn’t underline the importance of the meeting enough. As Russia is testing our defences, building up our capabilities is now even more urgent than before”.
