Pope Francis received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize on Friday, May 6. The prize, started in 1950 and named after Charles the Great who united Europe under a common currency, a common military and a common religion (Catholicism), is given by the German city of Aachen to those individuals and entities that play a significant role in promoting European integration. In other words, the prize is given to those who assist in resurrecting the Holy Roman Empire. The city of Aachen was the home of Charlemagne’s favorite palace.
“I dream of a new European humanism,” the pope said in an acceptance speech, “one based on fresh ideas and a revamped economy that promotes integration and respect for human dignity.”
“I dream of a Europe that is young, still capable of being a mother: a mother who has life because she respects life and offers hope for life. I dream of a Europe that cares for children, that offers fraternal help to the poor and those newcomers seeking acceptance because they have lost everything,” he added.
“I dream of a Europe of families, with truly effective policies concentrated on faces rather than numbers, on birth rates more than rates of consumption… I dream of a Europe that promotes and protects the rights of everyone, without neglecting its duties towards all,” he said.
Pope Francis received the Charlemagne Award at the Vatican, an event that drew leaders from across Europe to discuss the state of the European Union. Pope Francis is the second religious leader and the second pope after John Paul II, to receive the prize. Pope Francis requested that he receive the prize at the Vatican instead of the usual place in the city of Aachen. This would bring European leaders together at the Vatican and reinforce the importance of the Vatican’s role in the resurrected Holy Roman Empire.
Present were the leaders of the main European institutions, including Martin Schultz, president of the European Parliament; Jean Claude Junker, President of the European Commission, and Donald Tusk, President of the European Council who each offered brief remarks at the beginning of the event. All three men had a private audience with Pope Francis before the conferral ceremony.
Some past prize recipients were also present at the gathering including Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’ Egidio community; King Felipe of Spain; Dalia Grybauskaite, president of Lithuania; and Patrick Cox, former president of European Parliament and German chancellor Angela Merkel, who was awarded the prize in 2008. Merkel also met with the Pope in a private audience before the ceremony.
The pope characterized Europe as “entrenched” and stressed the need to go back to Europe’s forefathers who had a strong Roman Catholic vision for Europe, and “pursue alternative and innovative paths” once again. “Today more than ever, their vision inspires us to build bridges and tear down walls.”
The pope hammered away at his usual themes of “solidarity” and a “healthy coexistence.” He also stressed the importance of cultural integration, and said that Europe must respect the immigrant. “Today we urgently need to build coalitions that are not only military and economic, but cultural, educational, philosophical and religious,” he said, and then called Europe to move from a “liquid economy to a social economy.”
“The Church also has a role to play in this regard through her mission of proclaiming the Gospel and binding the wounds of humanity, Francis said, adding that the effort Christians put toward full unity is ‘a great sign of the times and a response to the Lord’s prayer that they may all be one.’”
The ecumenical push for unity is certainly a sign of the times, but perhaps not the sign the pope is thinking of. Ecumenism will lead to persecution and bloodshed of those who are determined to follow the Bible rather than the pope and his church.
Europe wonders after… Revelation 13:3