Pope Francis: European Parliament remembers Bergoglio. Metsola, “moral authority and inspirational leadership”

“On 26 April, the world came together to mourn the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. Together with a number of you, we represented this House at the Pope’s funeral in Rome, where hundreds of thousands gathered to commemorate his life and honour his legacy”, said Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, as she opened the plenary session in Strasbourg with an official commemoration. “Pope Francis will be remembered for his inspirational leadership, his moral authority and his kindness, taking every opportunity to speak up for a more humane, more peaceful and unified world”, Metsola said. “In 2014, His Holiness addressed this plenary and called for every member ‘to work to make Europe to discover the best of itself’. On the occasion of his visit, Pope Francis gave us a message in the book that collects the signatures and thoughts of the most important people who visited the institution during the course of its history. I would like to share with you some of the words he has dedicated to us: ‘I wish that the European Parliament may increasingly be the place where each and every member contributes to ensuring that Europe, aware of its past, looks to the future with confidence, in order to live the present with hope’”. “As this House grieves his loss, we also remember his call to action and work together for a better, more compassionate, and more courageous Europe”. A minute’s silence followed in honour of Pope Bergoglio.Gianni Borsa