"Throughout its history, Europe has always reached for the heights, aiming at   
   new and ambitious goals, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge,   
   development, progress, peace and unity. ... But in order to progress towards   
   the future we need the past, we need profound roots. We also need the courage   
   not to flee from the present and its challenges. We need memory, courage, a   
   sound and humane utopian vision. ... Truth appeals to conscience, which cannot   
   be reduced to a form of conditioning. Conscience is capable of recognising its   
   own dignity and being open to the absolute; it thus gives rise to fundamental   
   decisions guided by the pursuit of the good, for others and for one's self; it   
   is itself the locus of responsible freedom. ... It also needs to be kept in   
   mind that apart from the pursuit of truth, each individual becomes the   
   criterion for measuring himself and his own actions. The way is thus opened to   
   a subjectivistic assertion of rights, so that the concept of human rights,   
   which has an intrinsically universal import, is replaced by an individualistic   
   conception of rights".   
    "This kind of individualism leads to human impoverishment and cultural   
   aridity, since it effectively cuts off the nourishing roots on which the tree   
   grows. Indifferent individualism leads to the cult of opulence reflected in   
   the throwaway culture all around us. ... And so today we are presented with   
   the image of a Europe which is hurt, not only by its many past ordeals, but   
   also by present-day crises which it no longer seems capable of facing with its   
   former vitality and energy; a Europe which is a bit tired and pessimistic,   
   besieged by events and winds of change coming from other continents. ...   
   Europe should reflect on whether its immense human, artistic, technical,   
   social, political, economic and religious patrimony is simply an artefact of   
   the past, or whether it is still capable of inspiring culture and displaying   
   its treasures to mankind as a whole. In providing an answer to this question,   
   the Council of Europe with its institutions has a role of primary importance".   
    "The history of Europe might lead us to think somewhat naively of the   
   continent as bipolar, or at most tripolar ... and thus to interpret the   
   present and to look to the future on the basis of this schema, which is a   
   simplification born of pretentions to power. But this is not the case today,   
   and we can legitimately speak of a 'multipolar' Europe. Its tensions - whether   
   constructive or divisive - are situated between multiple cultural, religious   
   and political poles. Europe today confronts the challenge of creatively   
   'globalising' this multipolarity" which calls for "striving to create a   
   constructive harmony, one free of those pretensions to power which, while   
   appearing from a pragmatic standpoint to make things easier, end up destroying   
   the cultural and religious distinctiveness of peoples".   
    To speak of European multipolarity is to speak of peoples which are born,   
   grow and look to the future. The task of globalising Europe's multipolarity   
   cannot be conceived by appealing to the image of a sphere - in which all is   
   equal and ordered, but proves reductive inasmuch as every point is equidistant   
   from the centre - but rather, by the image of a polyhedron, in which the   
   harmonic unity of the whole preserves the particularity of each of the parts".   
    "The second challenge which I would like to mention is transversality. ...   
   Were we to define the continent today, we should speak of a Europe in   
   dialogue, one which puts a transversality of opinions and reflections at the   
   service of a harmonious union of peoples. To embark upon this path of   
   transversal communication requires not only generational empathy, but also an   
   historic methodology of growth. In Europe's present political situation,   
   merely internal dialogue between the organisations (whether political,   
   religious or cultural) to which one belongs, ends up being unproductive. Our   
   times demand the ability to break out of the structures which 'contain' our   
   identity and to encounter others, for the sake of making that identity more   
   solid and fruitful in the fraternal exchange of transversality. A Europe which   
   can only dialogue with limited groups stops halfway; it needs that youthful   
   spirit which can rise to the challenge of transversality".   
    "In the light of all this, I am gratified by the Council of Europe's desire   
   to invest in intercultural dialogue, including its religious dimension,   
   through the Exchanges on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue.   
   Here is a valuable opportunity for open, respectful and enriching exchange   
   between persons and groups of different origins and ethnic, linguistic and   
   religious traditions, in a spirit of understanding and mutual respect".   
    "This way of thinking also casts light on the contribution which Christianity   
   can offer to the cultural and social development of Europe today within the   
   context of a correct relationship between religion and society. ... European   
   society as a whole cannot fail to benefit from a renewed interplay between   
   these two sectors, whether to confront a form of religious fundamentalism   
   which is above all inimical to God, or to remedy a reductive rationality which   
   does no honour to man. There are in fact a number of pressing issues which I   
   am convinced can lead to mutual enrichment, issues on which the Catholic   
   Church - particularly through the Council of Episcopal Conferences of Europe   
   (CCEE) - can cooperate with the Council of Europe and offer an essential   
   contribution".   
    "Similarly, the contemporary world offers a number of other challenges   
   requiring careful study and a common commitment, beginning with the welcoming   
   of migrants. ... Then too, there is the grave problem of work. ... It is my   
   profound hope that the foundations will be laid for a new social and economic   
   cooperation, free of ideological pressures, capable of confronting a   
   globalised world while at the same time encouraging that sense of solidarity   
   and mutual charity which has been a distinctive feature of Europe, thanks to   
   the generous efforts of hundreds of men and women - some of whom the Catholic   
   Church considers saints - who over the centuries have worked to develop the   
   continent, both by entrepreneurial activity and by works of education,   
   welfare, and human development. These works, above all, represent an important   
   point of reference for the many poor people living in Europe. How many of them   
   there are in our streets! They ask not only for the food they need for   
   survival, which is the most elementary of rights, but also for a renewed   
   appreciation of the value of their own life, which poverty obscures, and a   
   rediscovery of the dignity conferred by work".   
    "Finally, among the issues calling for our reflection and our cooperation is   
   the defence of the environment, of this beloved planet earth. It is the   
   greatest resource which God has given us and is at our disposal not to be   
   disfigured, exploited, and degraded, but so that, in the enjoyment of its   
   boundless beauty, we can live in this world with dignity".   
    "Pope Paul VI called the Church an 'expert in humanity'. In this world,   
   following the example of Christ and despite the sins of her sons and   
   daughters, the Church seeks nothing other than to serve and to bear witness to   
   the truth. This spirit alone guides us in supporting the progress of humanity.   
   In this spirit, the Holy See intends to continue its cooperation with the   
   Council of Europe, which today plays a fundamental role in shaping the   
   mentality of future generations of Europeans. This calls for mutual engagement   
   in a far-ranging reflection aimed at creating a sort of new agora, in which   
   all civic and religious groups can enter into free exchange, while respecting   
   the separation of sectors and the diversity of positions, an exchange inspired   
   purely by the desire of truth and the advancement of the common good. For   
   culture is always born of reciprocal encounter which seeks to stimulate the   
   intellectual riches and creativity of those who take part in it; this is not   
   only a good in itself, it is also something beautiful. My hope is that Europe,   
   by rediscovering the legacy of its history and the depth of its roots, and by   
   embracing its lively multipolarity and the phenomenon of a transversality in   
   dialogue, will rediscover that youthfulness of spirit which has made this   
   continent fruitful and great".   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Pope receives the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt   
    Vatican City, 25 November 2014 (VIS) - Yesterday, 24 November, Pope Francis   
   received in audience Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, president of the Arab Republic of   
   Egypt. Following this encounter the president met with Cardinal Secretary of   
   State Pietro Parolin.   
    During the cordial exchange, discussions focused on the situation in the   
   Egyptian nation, highlighting the closeness and solidarity of the Church to   
   all the people of Egypt during this period of political transition. At the   
   same time, hope was expressed that within the framework of guarantees   
   enshrined by the new Constitution in terms of the safeguard of human rights   
   and religious freedom, the peaceful coexistence among all components of   
   society may be strengthened and the path to inter-religious dialogue may   
   continue to be pursued.   
    Furthermore, themes of common interest were discussed with particular   
   reference to the role of the country in the promotion of peace and stability   
   in the Middle East and North Africa. In this regard, it was reiterated that   
   dialogue and negotiation are the only options to put an end to the conflicts   
   and to the violence that endanger defenceless populations and cause the loss   
   of human lives.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Pope to convoke a conference in Haiti in January 2015, five years after   
   the earthquake that devastated the island   
    Vatican City, 25 November 2014 (VIS) - This morning the Pontifical Council   
   "Cor Unum" announced that its president, Cardinal Robert Sarah, will visit   
   Haiti from 25 to 29 November, five years on from the earthquake that brought   
   devastation to the island and its population, causing around 230 thousand   
   deaths. The main aim of the trip is to bring a sign of concrete spiritual   
   closeness to those who are still engaged in reconstruction works, and to   
   inaugurate the "Notre Dame des Anges" school in Leogane, built through the   
   work of the local Church and with the coordination of the apostolic nunciature.   
    On the occasion of this trip, the Holy Father has expressed his wish to   
   convoke a conference on Haiti, to be held in the Vatican on 10 January 2015,   
   to ensure that attention remains focused on this humanitarian catastrophe, the   
   impact of which is still felt, and to emphasise the Church's closeness to the   
   Haitian people. The meeting will be organised by the Pontifical Commission for   
   Latin America and the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", in collaboration with   
   local bishops.   
    Meanwhile, on 26 November, during his visit to the island, Cardinal Sarah   
   will meet with representatives of Caritas Haiti, Msgr. Erick Touissant, the   
   president and the director, Fr. Herve Francois, as well as other Caritas   
   representatives present on the island. He will then meet with other Catholic   
   humanitarian organisations working in Haiti.   
    On 27 November he will participate in the opening of the school "Notre Dame   
   des Anges" in Leogane, managed by the Society of Jesus and built using funds   
   sent directly by the Holy Father during the five years following the   
   earthquake. On the same day he will meet with the local authorities, and in   
   particular with the president of the Republic of Haiti.   
    On 28 November the prelate will meet with the Episcopal Conference of Haiti,   
   the priests, religious and laypersons who offer their assistance not only in   
   the reconstruction of infrastructure but also in the full human development of   
   the population. The Cardinal will communicate the Pope's special encouragement   
   to all to continue their work with dedication.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Audiences   
    Vatican City, 25 November 2014 (VIS) - On the afternoon of Monday 24   
   November, the Holy Father received in audience Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri,   
   director general of the Islamic Educational Cultural and Scientific   
   Organisation, and entourage.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
   For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:   
   www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va   
      
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