Amid EU Divisions Over COVID-19 Economic Response... Pope Emphasizes "Harmony and Unity"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Pope Francis reiterated on the 22nd (local time), a day before the European Union (EU) summit, that unity and solidarity are necessary to overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

According to dpa news agency and others, the Pope mentioned the EU's division situation while celebrating Mass at the Vatican's 'Casa Santa Marta' in the morning, saying, "Now is the time for very close unity among us and between nations." He added, "Let us all pray for Europe so that we can achieve the 'fraternal harmony' dreamed of by the founders of the EU."

The Pope's message came a day before the video conference of the 27 EU member state leaders on the evening of the 23rd. The EU is currently in conflict over measures to mitigate the economic impact caused by COVID-19. Southern European countries with poor national finances and high debt, including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, want to issue joint bonds exceeding 1 trillion euros, but some Northern European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands oppose this.

Pope Francis has been regarded as a pillar of EU integration since his inauguration in 2013. Although he was born and raised in Argentina, he is a descendant of Italian immigrants.

In the 'Urbi et Orbi' (Latin for 'to the city [Rome] and the world') blessing message during the Easter Mass held on the 12th, the Pope also appealed for unity, saying, "The EU is currently facing challenges of the times. Now is not the time to be divided." Recently, he also emphasized the need for EU solidarity during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.