On the first day, Cardinal Parolin, Vice-President Timmermans, and Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, opened the dialogue and set the framework of the Congress. In the sessions that followed, three aspects of the EU Project were addressed: Social Inclusion, Citizenship, Economy - each with prominent speakers such as Enrico Letta, Rocco Buttiglione, Manfred Weber, Sylvie Goulard, and a long list of experts and high-level politicians. Cardinal Omella and Mgr Scicluna, respectively archbishops of Barcelona and Malta, with both facing delicate political situations in their own dioceses, described the vision of the Church. The evening concluded at Santa Maria del Trastevere with a prayer and a dinner organized by Communità di Sant’Egidio to highlight their work of social inclusion.
On Saturday 28, the 350 participants were divided among 18 workshops to discuss five questions on the EU's current state of affairs, its expectations, dreams and fears; and the contribution of the Catholic Church to the European Project. In charge of moderating the workshop were various Ambassadors of EU countries to the Holy See; with them, our General Economer, Mr. Jean Paul Müller. The afternoon was dedicated to a plenary debate based on the conclusions moderated by Mons. Gallagher, in charge of Vatican relations with foreign states.
The most special moment was the private audience with Pope Francis, who addressed participants in a comprehensive speech (link), after hearing the intervention of Cardinal Marx (COMECE President) and President Tajani.
In his speech, Pope Francis presented the contributions constantly offered by Christian thought to Europe under many points of view: the person and the community, Europe as a place of dialogue and a place of inclusion, solidarity, a source of development, a promise of peace and, finally, as the soul of the continent. In closing, he greeted all the participants of the Congress individually.
“Re-thinking Europe” concluded with a Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica where Cardinal Marx reminded participants of the important role each played towards multiplying the effects of the discussions and ideas shared during the Congress, and towards finding ways to involve those not usually listened to, such as young people and people facing poverty, in the process.
