The European Union and the Vatican are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations and collaboration. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen paid Pope Francis a visit in light of the occasion.
The Ambassador of the European Union to the Holy See visited Rome Reports to talk about this long journey of mutual understanding.
ALEXANDRA VALKENBURG
European Union Ambassador to the Holy See
“We have shared values: human rights, working toward peace, climate change and multilateralism as a work model. We're strongly united by our fight for peace and our promotion of interreligious dialogue.”
Alexandra Valkenburg is from the Netherlands. She moved to Rome in September after representing the European Union in Cuba and Jamaica for four years.
To better understand Europe, she recommends reading Pope Francis' letter on 50 years of diplomatic relations. In the letter, the Pope dreams “of a Europe marked by a healthy secularism, where God and Caesar remain distinct but not opposed.”
The Ambassador says the European Union continues to follow Pope Francis' publications attentively.
ALEXANDRA VALKENBURG
European Union Ambassador to the Holy See
“The European Union has greatly valued the 'Laudato si'' encyclical. It played an important role at the Climate Change Summit in Paris. The Pope's vision, which calls us to think about the future of the planet and protect the planet for future generations, has also been important to guaranteeing support to different countries around the world.”
In fact, the European Union is counting on the Vatican's active participation at COP26 in Glasgow, which the Pope is expected to attend.
Alexandra Valkenburg also recalls her personal experience in Central America, where Church authorities are a fundamental part of the peace process.
ALEXANDRA VALKENBURG
European Union Ambassador to the Holy See
“The Church has played a very important role in the human rights office in the Archdiocese of Guatemala. It has played an important part in promoting justice and a search for truth. I think all the important human rights lawyers were formed in the human rights office of the Archdiocese of Guatemala.”
These 50 years of relations are being commemorated with events held in churches in Rome with ties to the European Union. The last one will take place in Santa Maria della Pietà in Campo Santo. There the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States will celebrate Mass.
With this anniversary, the European Union and the Holy See hope to further strengthen their ties and continue to collaborate for many years to come.
RM
TR: CT
