Europe

Pope Francis to the Diplomatic Corps: arrivals must not undermine reception; Europe must not lose its “humanistic spirit”

“The massive number of arrivals on the shores of Europe appear to be overburdening the system of reception painstakingly built on the ashes of the Second World War, a system that is still an acknowledged beacon of humanity”, said the Pope. In his speech to the Diplomatic Corps, he dedicated a “special thought to Europe”, which “during the last year, witnessed a great wave of refugees – many of whom died in the attempt to reach it – a wave unprecedented in recent history, not even after the end of the Second World War”. “Given the immense influx and the inevitable problems it creates, a number of questions have been raised about the real possibilities for accepting and accommodating people, about changes in the cultural and social structures of the receiving countries, and about reshaping of certain regional geopolitical balances. Equally significant are fears about security, further exacerbated by the growing threat of international terrorism”. “The present wave of migration seems to be undermining the foundations of that “humanistic spirit” which Europe has always loved and defended”. That is the Pope’s concern. “Yet there should be no loss of values and principles of humanity, respect for the dignity of every person, mutual subsidiarity and solidarity, however much they may prove, in some moments of history, a burden difficult to bear”. For the Pope, Europe “aided by its cultural and religious heritage”, has “the means to defend the centrality of the human person and to find the right balance its twofold moral responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens and to ensure assistance and acceptance to migrants”. “Many migrants from Asia and Africa – said Francis – see in Europe a beacon for principles such as equality before the law and for values inherent in human nature, including the inviolable dignity and equality of every person, love of neighbour regardless of origin or affiliation, freedom of conscience and solidarity towards our fellow men and women”.